Green Pea Guacamole

I always love a side of guacamole with everything.                                                                 ~Erin Heatherton

Rich, creamy guacamole made from a perfectly ripe avocado is the perfect topping for a veggie burger or toast, as a sandwich spread, or as a dip with tortilla chips or crackers. But if you want to ramp up the nutrition without compromising on flavor, consider making Green Pea Guacamole – an equally rich, thick, and flavorful side dish that is made with both avocado and fresh green peas.

2 cups of raw green peas have about 240 calories, 15 grams of protein, and 15 grams of dietary fiber with no fat and virtually no sodium. High in vitamin A and C along with iron and potassium, fresh green peas are a perfect complement with an avocado which has about 230 calories, 3 grams of protein, 10 grams of dietary fiber, and 21 grams of fat along with Vitamin C, B-6, and magnesium.  One’s a fruit (avocado) high in fat (the good kind) and one’s a vegetable (peas) high in protein. Both are high in fiber, vitamins and minerals – a strategic partnership if there ever was one.

Green Pea Guacamole takes less than 15 minutes from start to finish. All of the ingredients are available at Trader Joe’s  or your local supermarket.

Green Pea Guacamole

Ingredients:

• 1 10-ounce packet (2 cups) of fresh English Peas
• 1 10-ounce packet of Villagio Marzano tomatoes or 1 pint sweet grape tomatoes, chopped
• 1 Haas avocado
• 3 scallions, green part only, chopped
• Juice of 1 lemon
• Salt and Pepper, to taste

Directions:

• Bring a medium pot of water to a boil. Drop the fresh peas in for 60 seconds. Remove, drain and place the peas in a food processor. Pulse the peas about 10-12 times until the peas are chopped but not mushy.
• Transfer the peas to a mixing bowl.
• Add the chopped tomatoes to the mixing bowl.
• But the avocado in half, discard the pit, and scoop the filling into the mixing bowl.
• Squeeze the lemon juice over the avocado in the bowl.
• Add the chopped scallions.
• Blend all the ingredients. Add salt and pepper to taste.
• Serve immediately.