Hello all. A friend gave me a huge tub full of dried field peas. I've shelled them but wonder if I should heat them in the oven before storing. I plan to vacumn seal them in qt. jars. Thanks for your help. Blessings Peggy

-- peggy (peggyan2@msn.com), September 18, 2001

Answers

Peggy: I know this doesn't answer your question--but if you choose to freeze them, parboil first for a few minutes, cool quickly with ice and store in zip lock bags. I'll be interested in the answers though and may try to dry my last batch so I can taste test the difference. MMMM-nothing like homegrown field peas with home made (today) relish! Enjoy!

-- Ann Markson (tngreenacres@hotmail.com), September 18, 2001.

If they are truly dried, I cannot imagine that vacuum sealing them will be insufficient. I take either sun (field) dried or dehydrator dried veggies and just seal them in mason jars, with no vacuum ability. They seem to do very well, thank you, except for the time I had a loose fitting top and some insect varmint got to them. GL!

-- Brad (homefixer@SacoRiver.net), September 18, 2001.

Hi Peggy..don't have any advise for you but would like to ask you a question ( I tried your e-mail..it came back undeliverable). How are you vacuum sealing in qt. jars?? If you or anyone else out there can refer me to info I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks.

-- sandi (msjazt@aol.com), September 19, 2001.