Introduction

Thanksgiving Peas is a flavorful and festive side dish that combines sweet peas and pear with savory pancetta and bright lemon. This easy recipe offers a delicious twist on a classic vegetable, perfect for holiday celebrations or any time you want a vibrant, tasty addition to your meal.

A round white bowl is filled with a mix of small bright green peas scattered evenly, light beige diced root vegetables, and thin slices of translucent onions with a few green herb pieces mixed throughout. In the center is a generous pile of small, crispy browned meat cubes, adding a rich reddish-brown color and a crunchy texture contrast. A silver spoon with a white handle rests inside the bowl near the top right side. The bowl is placed on a white marbled surface, with a striped white and beige cloth under the bottom right edge. Some scattered fresh green parsley leaves and a small dish of black pepper are visible around the bowl. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

½ pound pancetta, cut into small dice
3 medium shallots, halved and thinly sliced (about 1 cup thinly sliced)
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
16 ounces frozen peas
1 pear
1 lemon, zested and juiced (about 3 tablespoons juice and 1 teaspoon zest)
½ cup roughly chopped parsley
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

Step 1: Peel, slice, and small dice the pear. Place it in a small bowl and stir with the lemon juice. Set aside to marinate.
Step 2: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the pancetta and cook until golden brown. Remove the pancetta with a slotted spoon and drain on a paper towel-lined plate. Pour off excess rendered fat, leaving about 3 tablespoons in the pan.
Step 3: Add the sliced shallots to the pan and cook for about a minute until softened. Stir in the Dijon mustard.
Step 4: Add the frozen peas and the marinated pear (with lemon juice) to the pan. Stir and cook for about 5 minutes, until the peas are warmed through.
Step 5: Turn off the heat, then stir in half of the cooked pancetta, the chopped parsley, and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
Step 6: Transfer the peas to a large serving bowl. Top with the remaining pancetta and garnish with the lemon zest before serving.

Tips & Variations

For convenience, buy pre-diced pancetta to save preparation time. Two 4-ounce packages work well for this recipe.
This dish serves about 6 people, but you can easily double the recipe and cook in a larger pan for holiday gatherings.
Try adding a sprinkle of toasted nuts, like almonds or pine nuts, for extra texture and flavor.
For a vegetarian option, substitute pancetta with smoked tempeh or omit it altogether and add a splash of smoked paprika.

Storage

Store leftover Thanksgiving Peas in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4 to 5 days. To reheat, warm gently in a pan with a drizzle of olive oil or use the microwave. Leftovers are delicious served not only as a side but also topped with a fried or poached egg, or mixed into scrambled eggs for breakfast.

How to Serve

A large white bowl filled with a colorful mix of small diced reddish-brown cooked bacon pieces centered on top, surrounded by bright green peas and light beige diced vegetables, likely onions or potatoes, mixed evenly with chopped green herbs throughout. A silver spoon with a white handle rests inside the bowl on the right side. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface next to a white and gray striped cloth and scattered fresh parsley leaves. Nearby, a small dark bowl holds coarse ground black pepper. The overall look is fresh with lots of green and earthy tones, the textures varied between soft peas, crispy bacon, and tender diced vegetables. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use fresh peas instead of frozen?

Yes, fresh peas can be used if they are in season. Simply cook them briefly until tender before adding to the dish, adjusting the cooking time since fresh peas tend to cook faster than frozen.

What can I substitute for pancetta?

You can substitute pancetta with bacon, prosciutto, or smoked ham for a similar savory flavor. For a vegetarian option, consider smoked tempeh or a dash of smoked paprika to add depth without meat.