Edamame: A Gifted Protein
Eda-what???
Edamame. It’s a yummy edible which rhymes with “mommy.”
These cute, bright green, lima bean-sized morsels are actually immature soybeans. They are typically sold, blanched, in the frozen food section. While your traditional supermarket may not carry them, I know that Trader Joe’s and The Fresh Market food chains do. I buy them shelled, but they are also sold still tucked away in their pods, which is the way you may have had them served to you in a Japanese restaurant. But eater beware: their pods are NOT edible!
What makes edamame such a gifted protein is that they contain every single amino acid your body requires, designating it as a WHOLE protein source. One cup of these immature soybeans contains 18.5 grams of protein—which makes them a hefty protein source for vegetarians and for those seeking a different non-meat-based protein for variety’s sake. Additionally, edamame contains a significant amount of folate, magnesium, and vitamin K.
Edamame can be eaten hot or cold. They come blanched (cooked) and
frozen, so simply defrost them and toss them in a salad or straight into your mouth as a quick snack (sprinkle with salt to make them even more delicious). Other great uses for edamame are in hot soups or cold Asian noodle bowls. I even use them straight up as a side dish (generously salted) alongside fish or poultry.
While research continues, early studies have stated that eating edamame MAY reduce the risk of: heart disease, symptoms of menopause, breast and prostate cancer, lower cholesterol, as well as reduce bone loss. Hey, if only two of these findings prove correct, pass me the edamame, please!