Piselli in Umido (Braised Peas Italian Style)
Sweet peas braised gently with soffritto, mint and lemon, an easy vegan side that goes with almost any main.
Made with Soffritto. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time20 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £0.41 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Warm the olive oil in a wide pan over a medium heat. Add your ready made soffritto (see the base recipe) and stir for 2 minutes until sizzling.
- 2
Add the frozen peas and the water, and season with salt and pepper.
- 3
Cover and cook gently for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring now and then, until the peas are tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
9 min - 4
Take off the heat. Stir in the mint and lemon zest.
- 5
Taste and adjust the seasoning, then serve warm.
Tips
- Use petit pois if you can. They are smaller and sweeter.
- Add fresh peas at the same stage but cook them a few minutes longer.
- Stir through a spoon of olive oil at the end for a glossy finish.
Storing and freezing
Cool quickly and keep in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat until steaming hot all the way through. Freezing is not recommended, as the peas soften too much.
Questions
What does this go with?
It is a good side for roast chicken, grilled fish, sausages or lamb. It also works stirred through rice or pasta, or piled on toast with a poached egg.
Can I add pancetta?
Yes. Fry 50 g diced pancetta with the soffritto for a classic version. That makes it no longer vegan or vegetarian.
More made with soffritto
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.