Grow Your Own Magazine

Hazel at the Hill · #1 (**permalink**) 08-07-2008, 04:30 PM

I'd like to make a batch of the above, and CJJ Berry's recipe calls for 5lb of pea pods.

Would anyone like to hazard a guess as to how many peas I need to pick at the Hill tonight to make up this weight of pods?

scarey55 · #2 (**permalink**) 08-07-2008, 05:33 PM

Now then, let me see erm... loads

You could try weighing say, 10 then extrapolating. Looking forward to seeing the finished product though. If it's any good I might have a go, if that is, I can get any bloody peas to grow

Hazel at the Hill · #3 (**permalink**) 08-07-2008, 06:06 PM

I am actually going to have to take the scales to the Hill, aren't I?

And a calculator.

This may take 'looking like a right Charlie' to a new level!

And I'm not feeling sorry for your lack of peas, Clare, when you have had such a bumper crop of soft fruit.

shirlthegirl43 · #4 (**permalink**) 08-07-2008, 06:55 PM

I have been toying with the idea of making the pea pod wine too Hazel. However, my peas are not coming ready at the same time. Anyone got any idea if you can freeze the pods until you have enough?

KellsSimon · #5 (**permalink**) 08-07-2008, 08:14 PM

I'd have thought you can freeze them shirl' peas are one of the best freezing veg, so surely the pods can't be bad. Just used some rose petals that i froze until i had enough and they came out just fine, so peapods must stand a good chance.
(Do bear in mind that I speak from utter ignorance and take a large pinch of salt along with any advice given.)

anyone remember the pea pod wine in 'The good life'? it got some quite strong responces i see to remember...

terrier · #6 (**permalink**) 08-07-2008, 08:34 PM

I've not tried pea pod wine but years ago made runner bean pod wine. Never again, it was disgusting

Hazel at the Hill · #7 (**permalink**) 08-07-2008, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shirlthegirl43

Anyone got any idea if you can freeze the pods until you have enough?

Yep, Shirley - no worries about freezing the pods, apparently, so that's what I'll be doing until I have enough.

For future reference, 10 pea pods weigh about 50g, so for the 2.25kg of pods needed for a batch of wine, my maths says that's 450 pods, which is a full carrier bag, roughly.

Full pods weigh half as much again, so if you were buying enough peas at the greengrocers, you would need about 1.5kg or 3lb of peas.

Headfry · #8 (**permalink**) 09-07-2008, 09:15 AM

I up for having a bash at pea pod wine too, alas as already mentioned my peas are all at different stages and 5lb of pods!!!!! phew thats a lot of peas to pod!

Hilary B · #9 (**permalink**) 09-07-2008, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hazel at the Hill

Yep, Shirley - no worries about freezing the pods, apparently, so that's what I'll be doing until I have enough.

For future reference, 10 pea pods weigh about 50g, so for the 2.25kg of pods needed for a batch of wine, my maths says that's 450 pods, which is a full carrier bag, roughly.

Full pods weigh half as much again, so if you were buying enough peas at the greengrocers, you would need about 1.5kg or 3lb of peas.

Errrrrr.... there is something odd in the arithmetic there.......

Hazel at the Hill · #10 (**permalink**) 09-07-2008, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hilary B

Errrrrr.... there is something odd in the arithmetic there.......

Well spotted, Hilary! I redid the sums when I came to update the blog this morning, and I was meaning to come back here to correct the baaaaad maths!

Of course 2.25kg of empty pea pods = 3.4kg of full pea pods = 7.5lb from the greengrocer.

HeyWayne · #11 (**permalink**) 09-07-2008, 04:32 PM

iPods weigh a bit more. Might help you get to the desired weight a bit quicker!

Or we could have a pod-a-thon, we all save our pods for you? Be sure to tick the gift aid box!

Hazel at the Hill · #12 (**permalink**) 09-07-2008, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeyWayne

iPods weigh a bit more. Might help you get to the desired weight a bit quicker!

True, HW, I'd only need about half a dozen and I'd be there!*

Mind you, the next instruction in the book is 'boil the (i)Pods until tender' - which I think may take a while...

*this is only an approximation - I would be greatful if anyone who has scales handy to weigh their own iPod and calculate the exact number to make up the current shortfall in pea pods of 750g could post the correct quantity here.

HeyWayne · #13 (**permalink**) 09-07-2008, 04:56 PM

Well, my iPod weighs about 130g - I tried holding it whilst stood on the weigh scales in the warehouse and they didn't really move from 113kg (they are used primarily for weighing pallets of big heavy metal stuff). However a little peek at the Apple website gave me a figure of 4.8 ounces, which works out at about 130g. I think.

Flummery · #14 (**permalink**) 09-07-2008, 04:59 PM

I'll only add what I've said before. I don't find vegetable wines at all successful. The further you get from a grape the worse the wine is IMHO (which is usually far from humble!)

Hazel at the Hill · #15 (**permalink**) 09-07-2008, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flummery

I'll only add what I've said before. I don't find vegetable wines at all successful. The further you get from a grape the worse the wine is IMHO (which is usually far from humble!)

I hold my parsnip wine up in evidence in the case of the defence, ma'am!

Flummery · #16 (**permalink**) 09-07-2008, 05:21 PM

What about your celery?

Hazel at the Hill · #17 (**permalink**) 09-07-2008, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flummery

What about your celery?

You may have a tiny point there!

I do hope that the parsnip is not the exception which proves the rule!

Hilary B · #18 (**permalink**) 09-07-2008, 09:35 PM

Parsnips are sweet (anyone tried carrot wine??). Marrow can work well. I think veggies only REALLY work if they have sweetness 'built in'. Not sure about potato wine (never made any and never talked to anyone who did)

HeyWayne · #19 (**permalink**) 09-07-2008, 09:41 PM

I remember my Grandad making parsnip and carrot wine when we were kids (we were allowed a glass with a roast - took the flavour away from Mums cooking). I remember it tasting pretty awful even then.

Brewer-again · #20 (**permalink**) 09-07-2008, 09:46 PM

one of the best wines I have ever tasted was pea pod. There is a lot of waisted flavour in the pods which with careful treatment make a really nice wine. If you have a lot of pods you can make a base wine to use as an addittive to other wines.
It can be kept as a mixer and it can be a nice wine in its own right.

Flummery, If only I could take you through a tasting session of vegetable wines. You would be amazed.

I make vine wines but the veg ones are an equal, if made with due care.

Flummery · #21 (**permalink**) 10-07-2008, 09:03 AM

I have made and tasted many of my own and others' vegetable wines. Even the drinkable are a disappointment in my opinion. Carrot is fine - potato is good - especially if you add the juice of a couple of oranges. I think the natural sweetness is the key.

As to pea pods. I boil them up for a soup stock. You get a definite taste of peas - lovely.

Headfry · #22 (**permalink**) 10-07-2008, 09:36 AM

weighed and counted 8oz pea pods.....50 (empty) pods!
crumbs it will never get to 5lb in one go! that would be enough to feed a family of 10!