Authentic Italian Pea Crema Recipe – Crema di Piselli

Crema di Piselli, or peas cream, has its origins in Italy, where peas have been used as an ingredient for centuries. Like many Italian dishes, this smooth, creamy pea reflects the country’s focus on simple, seasonal ingredients and the skill of turning simple ingredients into tasteful meals. Peas were known in Italy in ancient Roman times, when they were a staple crop used in both fresh and dried forms.

Early versions of peas cream were rustic, hearty, and full of chunky vegetables. The shift from rustic pea stews to the refined Crema di Piselli happened during the Renaissance when cooks began developing more sophisticated techniques. As the culinary tradition of Italy evolved, chefs started blending peas into smooth soups, often incorporating butter, cream, or olive oil to enhance the richness.

Over time, Pea Crema became a popular dish across the whole of Italy. It is an excellent meal that you can prepare with both fresh and frozen peas. Also, this cream soup is ideal for children because of its sweet and delicate flavor and because it is nutritious due to the presence of peas and cream.

Peas Cream Preparation

Ingredients (Serves 4):

• 1 small onion
• 250g fresh or frozen peas
• 1/2 liter vegetable broth
• 200ml cream
• 2 tablespoons Grana Padano or Parmigiano Reggiano (optional)
• 30g butter
• Salt for taste
• Pepper for taste

1. Start by peeling and finely chopping the onion. Heat some butter in a pan, and as the butter melts, toss in the onion. Cook it until it turns soft and transparent.
2. Next, pour in the vegetable broth and add the peas. Raise the heat and let everything cook for about 15 minutes.
3. Once the peas are cooked, blend them into a smooth, creamy texture using a food mill or blender. Pour the cream back into the pan and stir it for a few minutes. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper, and let it all simmer on low heat for about 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to come together.
4. Serve the pea crema into bowls and top with crunchy bread croutons. If you want to enrich it, sprinkle some grated Grana Padano or Parmigiano Reggiano on top. 

Difficulty: Easy

Preparation time: 5 minutes

Cooking time: 20 minutes

Benefits of eating Crema di Piselli

Pea Cream soup is a very healthy food full of various vitamins and fibers. It is good for healthy vision, skin, immunity, and bone health. Furthermore, Peas Cream is a low-calorie dish that will make you feel full very soon, which is perfect for those who want to lose some weight. The combination of fiber and protein helps curb hunger, so you won’t have temptation to take some unhealthy snacks later.

Worth mentioning is that Peas have a lot of antioxidants, including flavonoids, carotenoids, and polyphenols, which protect the body from oxidative stress and may reduce the risk of chronic diseases like cancer and heart disease. Also, they have a vitamin C and other immune-boosting nutrients, which strengthen the body’s immune system. 

When to eat Peas Cream?

Peas Cream is excellent in spring when you have fresh peas available but it can be prepared at any time of the year with frozen peas, too. It is especially great if you are looking for filling but not too heavy meal. Crema di Piselli is a first course meal but you can also serves it as a main dish and pair it with roasted vegetables or grilled meats. 

If you cooked to much of it, you can use cream the other day as a sauce for pasta or rice. Peas Cream is easy to prepare, and therefore a great option if you are in hurry but still want something homemade and nutritious. Since it stores well, you can prepare a large batch, refrigerate or freeze portions, and have it ready for quick lunches or dinners throughout the week.