Spanish Peas with Ham (ham peas with ham)

Ingredients

Here are the ingredients needed to make this classic dish of Spanish peas and ham:

• Peas – The main ingredient of the dish. You can use fresh or frozen peas, both versions will taste great.
• Serrano ham bits – Iberian ham is also a great option. You can also use Italian parma ham if you can’t find it. Cut thick slices into small pieces if you can’t find ham bits.
• Garlic clove – Use fresh garlic; don’t use store-bought pre-minced garlic or garlic powder.
• White onion – Alternatively you can use a yellow or red onion. Use a fresh onion – don’t use onion powder.
• Olive oil – I recommend olive oil for this recipe. However, if you don’t have olive oil on hand, use a neutral-tasting oil like avocado oil or sunflower oil.
• Salt – Enhances the overall taste of the dish. Adjust to taste.
• Black pepper – Use freshly cracked pepper for the best taste. Adjust to taste.

Recipe Tips

• For convenience, you can use frozen peas – they are easy to keep in the freezer.
• If you don’t like onions, you can skip them or add another vegetable such as leeks or shallots.
• When frying the serrano ham, avoid over-frying it to prevent it from becoming too salty. Also, don’t add too much salt to the peas since the fried serrano ham will already be quite salty.
• Although not traditional, adding chili flakes can add a delicious spicy kick to the dish.
• For the best flavor, use Spanish Serrano ham (or even better, Iberian ham). If you can’t find these, Italian Parma ham is a good substitute. In either case, buy a couple of thick slices and cut them into small bits. In Spain, you can find pre-cut Serrano ham bits ready to use.
• As an alternative, you can also use bacon instead of ham – but it will change the flavor of the final dish quite a bit.

How to Make Spanish Peas with Ham – Step by Step Instructions

First, peel the onion, cut it in half, and dice it finely. Also, peel and mince the garlic clove.

If you’re using fresh peas, deshell them now.

In a pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for 4-5 minutes until translucent.

Then add the minced garlic and cook for a couple more minutes until the onion and garlic are golden and fragrant.

Add the serrano ham bits and cook them on medium heat for about 1 minute, ensuring they don’t burn.

Add the peas to the pan, mix well, season with salt and pepper, and cook for about 10 minutes.

Serve the peas with ham as a side dish to meat dishes or as a light lunch or dinner with a fried egg on top. Enjoy!