Piselli Fritti (Fried Peas)

I made these for our Italian Christmas Eve and I thought they were tasty.  I caramelized the onions first and then added the frozen peas, and after I allowed them to cook for 10-15 minutes, I allowed them an additional 5 or 10 to make them a little more "crispy" and to evaporate the extra liquid, as she suggests.

Piselli Fritti (Fried Peas)

1 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 to 1/2 cup chopped onions
2 cups fresh or frozen peas
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
2 garlic cloves, minced or 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder
1/4 cup water or chicken stock (1/2 cup if you’d like the peas a little wetter)

Heat the oil in a small frying pan over medium-high heat. Meanwhile chop your onions and mince the garlic. When the oil is heated through, toss the onions into the frying pan and cook them for two to three minutes until then soften.

Add in the peas, fresh or frozen, and sprinkle with the salt, oregano, basil and garlic. Toss to combine. Add in the water and/or chicken stock and reduce the heat to medium-low. Allow the peas to cook for 10 to 15 minutes until soften and most of the water as been absorbed.

If you like your peas moist, then these are ready to be served up. Or if you want a little more texture and crispiness, turn the heat back up to medium-high for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently, to evaporate the remaining liquid and begin to slightly brown or crisp the pea edges.

Serve up hot as a side dish to any main and prepare to be just a bit addicted. There is a lot of flavour packed into these peas. And they are also great warmed up the next day.

Recipe originally from http://www.anitaliancanadianlife.ca/recipes/piselli-fritti-fried-peas