Edamame | Yum-ola

After our weekly trip to the grocery store last night, I had to laugh at the reception I got ... once again ... for the impression I seem to give the checkout/bagger team.

I'm already tagged a weirdo for my use of canvas bags. The bagger groans when he sees me—I have about a dozen odd canvas bags balled up in a "freezer" bag for storage. The people behind me in line roll their eyes and then glare because it slows them down. I just smile and help bag my items.

But every couple of weeks, like last night, it's time to stock up on basic pantry items. One of those things for us is edamame. The "wonder veggie," at least according to the packaging, and another source for my "weirdo" moniker. Sometimes the cashier does a re-take while scanning the package and passing it to the bagger. Other times, they make gagging sounds in the back of their throat and talk about how horrible it looks. Again, I just smile and wait until I can leave. They must think I'm eating sticks and pinecones.

But edamame is a wonder veggie. I buy Seapoint Farms Edamame in the shell. We snack on it when we're watching a ball game instead of pretzels or popcorn, or we add it to salads, or use it as a side dish. It's a legume, and can be used in place of peanuts for snacks.

Edamame is:

• a complete protein containing all the essential Amino Acids
• the only vegetable that offers a complete protein profile equal to both meat and eggs in its protein content
• rich in calcium, iron, zinc, and many of the B vitamins
• the richest dietary source of isoflavones, which act as Phytoestrogens that may help protect against cancer, osteoporosis

As you can see, it is the wonder veggie.

Do you eat Edamame or soy? How do you prepare it?