Sticky Toffee Pudding

By Alana Muir, courtesy of www.girlalive.com

Editor's note: On my last visit to England, in July, I unfortunately had to attend a cousin's funeral. At the pub luncheon afterward, her sister had organized a buffet, including Mushy Peas, which I had not had before. "I thought it would be only fitting to have real English country food," said the cousin's sister, serving up big, tasty portions to go with the beef stew.

Following is ex-pat Alana Muir's review of Mushy Peas, plus ordering information and a link to Alana's website.

Mushy Peas
Category: vegetable
Price: 46p for a can at Tesco, about $1.80 in the US

Ingredients: processed marrowfat peas, water, sugar, salt, colours

Every British person I know has sung the praises of mushy peas. Americans are used to fresh or frozen sweet peas. In Great Britain, most people are used to the starchier marrowfat peas, cooked to the point of mushiness. Hence the name "mushy peas."  They are primarily sold in cans and they are inexpensive and easy to heat in the microwave. I think that they probably gained popularity around World War II, when rationing made fresh vegetables difficult, so soaking and cooking dried peas until they were edible was the best they could do. They are traditionally served with fish and chips in a lot of regions of Great Britain.

The label showed that the mushy peas are almost as healthy as any peas you buy fresh, even if there's a bit more sodium. The peas were very green. Alarmingly green. It reminded me of the green slime in Ghostbusters. It smelled fine. Much like the peas I'm used to in the US.

Mushy peas taste pretty good. They aren't much to look at, but they had a nice blend of saltiness and sweetness. The texture is a bit like extra thick pea soup. Squishy and grainy, like overcooked squashed peas. I like regular peas more I think, but I have no problem buying and serving more mushy peas with dinner. I have trouble coming up with good vegetable ideas, and I know my husband will always eat mushy peas.

If you want to try some mushy peas for yourself, you can get them from English Tea Store.
Article copyright GirlAlive.com. Used with permission

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Spellings in this article were left as Alana wrote them; as she lives in the UK now, she spells accordingly.

© 2008 Muffin Dog Press LLC

England Southwest, Vol. 1, no. 1