Edamame question

[Lithos]

When you buy Edamame in the store (fresh or frozen), do you have to cook it before serving it, or is it eaten raw?

I enjoy it as a snack in Japanese restaurants, but no idea how to prepare it.

L-

[Rhiannon12866]

1. Well, I had absolutely no clue to what it even was, so I looked on

The Food Network. Apparently, yes, it is cooked. I don't know if it has to be, but it sounds like it. And here are the recipes I found on The Food Network website. Not all of them are vegetarian, but it looks like many of them are. The next-to-last one sounds most like what you're looking for, just a simple way to cook them. Good luck! You're ambitious!:D

http://web.foodnetwork.com/food/web/searchResults?searchString=+Edamame&site=FOOD&searchType=Recipe&GoSearch.x=16&GoSearch.y=13

on edit: They even rate them for degree of difficulty, and most are listed as easy. And the number of stars indicates how good people think this recipe is, rated by people who've tried it.:-)

[Elad]

2. I've never had edamame beans

but I do have a magazine which has an article on them:

"Edamame, the Japanese name for green soybeans, come either in the shell or pre-shucked and are readily available in most frozen sections of supermarkets, health food stores and Asian markets. Harvested prematurely while still green, they retain freshness by being parboiled and quickly frozen.

...

Edamame is the only legume that offers a complete protein, and is also higher in protein than any other. It is also rich in fiber, beta carotene, calcium, iron, zinc and many B vitamins.

Preparing edamame is even easier than eating chips and dip. Steam or boil them in a pot of water until they turn bright green (about 2-3 minutes) then drain and rinse with cold water. Or, you can quickly microwave them until they're unfrozen (1-2 minutes depending on microwave). Then toss your edamame in a large bowl with some coarse sea salt and serve with an empty bowl to throw out the beanless pods. So quick and easy, right?

You can eat them like a dainty lady and remove the individual beans from the pod with your fingers, or you can be a schlub like me and suck them out hungrily with your mouth, then smack your lips, lick your finger tips and dive in for more.

Edamame also make a wonderful side dish or really add substance and health to soups or entrees. In my freezer I have edamame in the pod for TV snacking and shelled edamame (easy access) to throw into whatever I've got cooking, soups or stir-fry's, etc.

...

[Lithos]

3. Thanks all

Answers my question, they do need some preparation.

And, the way I'm used to eating them is directly from the shell. I know there was sea salt added (very coarse salt). Just never knew what they did besides that.

Edamame makes for a great snack with beer.

W-

[serryjw]

8. I buy them already shelled

I'm lazy! and I put them in the micrwave for 30 seconds..great with tofu!

[MadAsHellNewYorker]

4. I don't know if you are near a Trader Joes, but

they have a great line of frozen produts, including edamame. All their edamame requres is a 3.5 minute zap in the microwave if you like em hot (2 if you want them cold) and its that easy.

[Lithos]

5. I've got a store with Frozen Edamame

But the package lacks any directions which made me wonder if it was meant to be eaten straight out of the package.

[Maru Kitteh]

6. I buy mine fresh in the organic section

And I never cook it, just sprinkle a little salt or just add to my salads. I've never tried it cooked. Find them to be buttery and rich, nice snack.

How are they cooked and used after cooking? I like them so much as is....... would be nice to hear about other uses.

[theoceansnerves]

7. edamame is one of the best things on earth

dont buy them shelled! that defeats half the fun.
if you buy them frozen you just have to cook them in boiling water for five minutes. i usually keep an eye on them and as soon as one of the pods begins to open up i know they're done. there are some that are pre-cooked that you just warm up in the microwave, DON'T buy those.
i'm bad and i usually load them up with salt :>

[toddaa]

9. Greatest bar food ever

Here's what I do. Boil a bag of frozen edamame just long enough to thaw them out, toss them with coarse sea salt, dunk them in soy sauce (sodium up the wazoo!), and eat them with lots of beer and/or bourbon.

[Ian David]

10. Boil FRESH, un-shelled Edamame with sea salt

When they're done, sprinkle with more sea salt, a little pepper, and some rice wine vinegar.

The best way to eat them is to put the shell up to your lips and squeeze the beans out like toothpaste.

That way, you get some of the flavor that soaks into the pods.