Marrowfat peas "medullare"). The word was coined around 1730 from "marrow" and "fat". Another source says the peas were named because people wanted plump ("fat") peas of the "Maro" variety, a Japanese variety introduced to England 100 years ago. Marrowfat peas Marrowfat peas are green mature peas that have been allowed to dry out naturally in the field, rather than be harvested whilst still young like the normal garden pea. They are used to make mushy peas, and also the snack food wasabi peas. Marrowfat peas with a good green color are exported from England to the Middle East and Japan for
Pea of green peas spread to North America. Thomas Jefferson grew more than 30 cultivars of peas on his estate. With the invention of canning and freezing of foods, green peas became available year-round, and not just in the spring as before. Fresh peas are often eaten boiled and flavored with butter and/or spearmint as a side dish vegetable. Salt and pepper are also commonly added to peas when served. Fresh peas are also used in pot pies, salads and casseroles. Pod peas (particularly sweet cultivars called "mange tout" and "sugar peas", or the flatter "snow peas," called "hé lán dòu",