Arakas laderos (or latheros) is what Greeks call their traditional oil-stewed green peas dish. Serve it as the main meal or eat it along with some good feta cheese. This is a satisfying dish no matter how you decide to eat it. This dish falls under the Greek "ladera" dishes.
Ladera is a category of vegetable dishes cooked in olive. The word ladera means "with olive oil". Having that in mind, it is important to use good quality Greek olive oil. I am lucky enough to produce my own olive oil. Try to use virgin or extra virgin olive oil. Now, continuing our discussion about ladera dishes, they consist of vegetables, plain or stuffed, cooked in a tomato, onion, garlic, and olive oil sauce. They usually do not contain meat. This alone makes them an excellent choice if you are a vegan or you are fasting.
Apart from being delicious, arakas laderos is quite healthy due to the high concentration of vitamins (vitamins C and E), minerals (zinks), antioxidants, and phytonutrients that are in the peas. These nutrients provide a range of health benefits. But, I cannot stress how important is to use Greek olive oil in your cooking. Olive oil is rich in healthy monounsaturated fats. These fats are quite resistant to high heat. As a result, olive oil is a healthy choice for cooking.
To make arakas laderos, you need the following ingredients: peas, olive oil, onion, dill, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, carrots, potatoes, sugar, salt, and pepper. I use frozen peas for this recipe. They are collected at their peak and this way they preserve their vitamins.
Although this dish, like all ladera, is popular in summer, I enjoy eating it all year round. You can serve warm or at room temperature.
This arakas laderos recipe takes less than an hour to cook and serves four persons.
Arakas Laderos - Ingredients
- Extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 500 g of peas
- 200 g of dill, chopped
- Salt and pepper
- Tomato sauce
- 200 grams of canned diced tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 2 medium carrots, cut into thin rounds
- 2 potatoes, peeled and cut
Arakas Laderos - How to make
- Start this traditional arakas latheros recipe by taking a medium pot. Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil, and heat.
- Add the onion and a little water, and cook until the onion is translucent.
- Add the tomato sauce, sugar, potatoes, and carrots.
- Add the peas, the dill, a pinch of salt and pepper, and then enough water to just cover the peas. Gently stir.
- Bring to a boil and then turn the heat down to a gentle simmer.
- Cook, covered, for about 40 minutes, checking the pan every once in a while in case it needs more water.
- Taste to see if salt is needed. Add to taste.
- Arakas laderos is ready once the peas are soft but firm.
- Serve.