I don’t like peas. Ask my mother. I’ve never liked peas although she insists on serving them whenever I visit. I’ll eat snow peas in a stir fry but I’m not all that happy about it. And peas rarely make an appearance in my garden. Too bad, because they are such easy plants to grow. So, why am I writing about peas today? Because I found a new variety I’m very much considering planting. They’re called Masterpiece Peas and it’s a new variety from Burpee Home Gardens. The cool thing about it is three portions of the plant are edible. I had a chance to taste it in a recent preview of the company’s new variety. Here’s a rundown on it:

Edible hyper-tendrils

The tendrils—the growing ends of the plant that wrap around something and secure the plant as it grows—are filigreed, tender and totally edible! Snip a few off, lightly chop and sprinkle on a salad for a hint of fresh pea flavor.

Masterpiece Peas: Pods

The next edible portion of the plant is the pod. Eat the whole pod while it’s young, peas and all. Use in a stir fry or snack on them fresh. Yum.

Peas

Later on, shell the pods and eat the peas separately.

There’s a fourth possible chance to eat this variety, if you think about it. Treat it as a microgreen. Just as the seedlings emerge from the a sterile seed mixture, pull them up, wash off the roots, and use them like you would any sprout—sandwiches, salads, and so forth.

Planting and Harvesting Masterpiece Peas

Unless you are growing them for microgreens, plant Masterpiece Peas in early spring, as you would normally plant peas.

Consider planting this in patio containers or window boxes. It’s grows to about 28-32 inches tall. You could plant in a basket and have the harvestable portions hang down.

You can harvest those tasty, edible tendrils in just about 24 days. The peas will be ready in 60 days. And snack on those edible pods somewhere in between.

Put Masterpiece Pea on your shopping list for 2016. Seeds will be available next year.