Garden peas can be boiled or steamed, however be careful not to overcook them. They need to have a bright green color and be firm but not crunchy for best flavor. Garden peas and butter make a wonderful combination. Garden peas are often served with a cream sauce, sometimes in combination with small boiled onions and or sautéed mushrooms. Garden peas will make a lovely green and tasty creamed soup. In our house, fresh garden peas are an essential ingredient in a dish of creamed dried beef, along with chopped hard boiled egg and a little onion.
Snap peas are wonderful eaten raw, especially in a salad. If you let kids near them, they will disappear as snacks. Cooked snap peas are best either steamed or stir-fried. In both cases, they should be deep green in color and just heated through so they are still crunchy.