Mushy peas 794868 222306194 2008-06-28T17:00:55Z 82.68.70.78 /* Local variants */ {{refimprove|date=January 2008}} [[Image:Fish, chips and mushy peas.jpg|thumb|A British meal of [[fish and chips]] served with mushy peas in the ramekin on the right.]] '''Mushy peas''' are dried [[marrowfat_peas|marrowfat pea]]s which are first soaked overnight in water and [[Sodium bicarbonate|bicarbonate of soda]], and then simmered with a little sugar and salt until they form a thick green lumpy soup. Sometimes [[Mentha|mint]] is used to alter the flavour. Green colouring is often used. This is typically achieved by adding the yellow and blue additives, [[Tartrazine|E102]] and [[Brilliant Blue FCF|E133]], which together produce the green effect. The use of artificial colours results in bright green mushy peas. Pure mushy peas, with no colouring, tend to form a more grey-green end product. [[Sodium bicarbonate]] is often added to soften the peas to enhance the colour and to inhibit [[fermentation (biochemistry)|fermentation]] during soaking, which reduces later [[flatulence]]. They are a very traditional northern [[England|English]] accompaniment to [[fish and chips]]. All over the [[Northern England|North]] they are commonly served as part of the popular snack of [[pie and peas]] (akin to the Australian [[pie floater]], but with mushy peas instead of a thick pea soup) and are considered a part of traditional [[British cuisine]]. Mushy peas can also be bought in tinned cans. They are also sometimes served in [[batter (cooking)|batter]] as a [[fritter|pea fritter]]. On [[2008-04-10]] the [[Food Standards Agency]] asked for a voluntary ban on artificial food colourings and suggested that the ban would be practical by the end of 2009. This would mean that certain foods such as mushy peas, [[Battenberg cake]], [[Turkish Delight]] and tinned [[strawberries]] might disappear temporarily or permanently.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2008/apr/10/foodanddrink|title=FSA calls for voluntary ban on artificial colourings|first=James|last=Meikle|publisher=[[The Guardian]]|date=[[2008-04-10]]}}</ref> == Local variants == In [[Yorkshire]], [[Nottinghamshire]], [[Derbyshire]] and parts of [[Lincolnshire]], they are often served as a snack on their own. They are traditionally accompanied by [[mint sauce]], and sold at open-air events such as fairs or fetes. In Derbyshire mushy peas served with chips is called a "pea mix". In North-West England (Cheshire/Merseyside/Lancashire/Greater Manchester areas), they are commonly served with two fried eggs on top as a late night snack. A [[Lancashire]] variant (particularly popular around [[Bolton]] and [[Preston]]) is '''[[Black peas|parched peas]]''' – carlin peas (also known as maple peas, or black peas) are soaked and then boiled slowly and for a long time; the peas are traditionally served with vinegar. == References == {{reflist}} ==See also== * [[Black Peas]] * [[British cuisine]] * [[Pease pudding]] {{food-stub}} [[Category:British cuisine]] [[Category:Legume dishes]] [[es:Mushy peas]]