Green pea

matar

Winter's small green sweetness.

What it is

Green peas bring a sweet, fresh pop to a dish — folded through pulao, simmered into gravies with potato or paneer, stuffed into breads and samosas. A winter vegetable at heart, though frozen peas make them a year-round convenience.

Where it comes from

Peas belong to the region's winter cooking, at their sweetest fresh in season. Frozen peas are an accepted everyday stand-in and often sweeter than tired fresh ones.

What it's called

Pea · matar (Hindi) · motorshuti (Bengali).

In the kitchen

Fresh or frozen, folded into pulao (matar pulao), simmered with potato (aloo matar) or paneer (matar paneer), and stuffed into kachori and samosa. Added late so they keep their colour and pop. Their sweetness balances spice.

What we know about the claims

A wholesome vegetable with useful fibre and plant protein. No caution.

Choosing and buying

Everywhere, fresh in winter and frozen year-round. Frozen peas are genuinely good here — sweet and convenient.