If you are looking for edamame, you should visit the frozen food section of your grocery store. It is kept along with other frozen vegetable packets in the freezer. Edamame belongs to the soybean family; it’s full of protein, minerals, and omega-3 fatty acids.
It’s also perfect for the heart because it is free from saturated fat, which would otherwise make it unhealthy.
It is sold in fresh, frozen, and dried forms at local grocery stores. Edamame has a touch of slight sweetness, like peas, and it is mildly nutty in taste, much like an almond. The versatility of edamame makes it worthy of its hype, that’s for sure.
Benefits Of Eating Edamame
High in Protein
Protein is essential for the proper growth and maintenance of muscles, ligaments, eyesight, and brain function, among other things. Edamame contains up to 20 grams of protein per cup, making it an excellent source for protein.
Rich in Nutrients
Edamame is also very high in nutrients such as folate (75%), manganese (40%), and Vitamin K1 (30%). These are critical for heart health, bone health, and more. Edamame also contains up to 20% copper, which is very high for the amount, considering that’s per cup.
Good For Bones
Soy is essential to maintain bone health and strength. Studies show that, after one year of consuming edamame regularly, bone density increased slightly. This is a huge surprise, considering even some medications made to increase bone density are mediocre at best.
Substitutes For Edamame
Green Peas
Green peas are very similar to edamame and are more than likely to win as the favorite. They can be cooked along with pork dishes, added to casseroles, and used as a side, perhaps with mashed potatoes as a second.
Lima Beans
Lima beans aren’t the same in texture, but they provide the same “earthy” edamame flavor. A huge benefit here is that lima beans offer an abundance of health benefits and are fantastic with virtually any dish; they’re very versatile.
Black Eyed Peas
A cool fact about black-eyed peas is that they’re actually beans! Nevertheless, they are great substitutes because they pair well with most of the dishes that edamame is utilized. They’re also very easy to cook and taste great, a win-win.
Ways To Use Edamame
Fun Snacks
To make a healthy snack to munch on, toss edamame with salt, black paper, and olive oil. Preheat your oven to 250 degrees C (approximately 480 degrees F). Layer the baking tray with parchment paper, spread spiced edamame on it, then bake it for about 20 minutes.
Cheese Melts
If you like cheese, you can also sprinkle some cheddar or provolone on edamame and bake until it melts. Another way to use edamame is to make a corn or cucumber salad. It goes well with different seasonings and dressings.
Yummy Stuffers
Edamame can be used as an ingredient of rice or curry as well. You can prepare a dip with edamame just like hummus, which pairs well with tortilla chips. They’re also phenomenal when roasted with rice, pepper, and collard greens, then crammed into a stuffer!
Takeaway
Edamame is a superfood, which can be used in fun and unique ways. It’s not uncommon for edamame to be overlooked as a medicine, so we invite you to look further into this in your free time. It’s actually mind-blowing if you think about it.
The bean can brighten up virtually any savory meal you can cook while adding fiber, protein, and soy. You can get certainly get very creative with how you implement edamame into your meals, so make it fun. Don’t forget to add a little pepper; it can really add a lot to the bean!