Vegetables
Broad bean
ソラマメ そらまめ soramame
Also known assoramame
At its best in Apr, May, Jun
When it is at its best
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
In seasonAvailable
How to cook
Boiled in salted water
Shelled and boiled.
Broad beans grilled in the pod
Grilled in the pod, which steams them.
Tempura
Peel the thin inner skin first.
Green pea rice
Folded into cooked rice.
How to choose
Taut, glossy pods still carrying fine hairs, with evenly swollen beans.
Storage
The flavour falls away fast once shelled. Keep them in the pod in the fridge and shell just before use.
Main areas
Good to know
It is said to be good for only three days; freshness decides the taste. The Japanese name comes from the pods pointing skyward as they grow.
