Creamed New Potatoes and Peas Recipe

Traditional New England gardeners strive for new potatoes and peas for the 4th of July while the rest of the nation dines on grilled salmon or sizzling steak. But, don't be fooled into thinking the New Englander gets the short end of the stick -- unless you've tried creamed new potatoes and peas.

Harvest potatoes when they are young. Choose baby potatoes the size of a golf ball or smaller for the best flavor. These immature potatoes are firm and sweet because the starches have not completely formed. As potatoes mature, they lose the characteristic "new potato" flavor.

Scrape the potatoes. Wash the potatoes in cold water to remove soil. Use the blade of a knife or a clean plastic scouring pad to scrape the skins from the potatoes. New potatoes have thin skins that rub off easily. You can also cook the potatoes with the skins on, but some prefer the appearance of potatoes without the skin.

Boil the potatoes. Place the cleaned potatoes in a saucepan and cover with cold water. Heat over medium heat and boil until the potatoes are almost fork tender. The time depends on the size of the potatoes and ranges from 10 to 15 minutes.

Add the peas. Pour the fresh-shelled peas into the saucepan of new potatoes and return to a boil. Boil gently until the peas are cooked and the potatoes are fork tender-about 5 minutes.

Drain the new potatoes and peas. Use a colander to drain the peas and potatoes.

Add canned evaporated milk. Pour the potatoes and peas in a serving bowl and slightly cover with milk. Reduced fat milk can be used, but the traditional meal is made with evaporated milk.

Top with a pat of butter. Place a dab of margarine or butter on the top and allow it to melt into the new potatoes and peas. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Serve piping hot. New potatoes and peas go with nearly any meat or poultry, but are particularly flavorful with meatloaf or plain burgers without the bun.

Country folk prefer to mash the new potatoes lightly with a fork and top with a scoop of milk and peas-but you may prefer to cut them with a knife and put the peas on the side. However you choose to eat them, you are in for a treat. New potatoes and peas are sweet and tender and the perfect way to celebrate a New England 4^th of July.