Beach peas

Beach peas are the seeds of Lathyrus maritimus or L. japonicus, leguminous plants of Arctic and sub-Arctic shores, also found in coastal areas of Europe and Asia. Also known as sea peas and seaside peas, they are a traditional foraged food of northern coastlines. New stalks take stir-frying, steaming or boiling, and once the plant has flowered the young pods are cooked and eaten like snow peas. Those young pods are rich in B-complex vitamins, beta-carotene and protein. Foragers should harvest sustainably and be certain of identification, since the Lathyrus genus also contains species with toxic seeds, and only the young parts are traditionally eaten.