Garlicky Snow Peas with Serrano Ham: A Spanish Tapas Favorite 2026

These garlicky snow peas with serrano ham are a bright, crisp tapa that comes together in about twenty minutes. The peas keep their sweet snap thanks to a quick blanching and ice bath, while golden garlic and salty ham build a savory base that makes the vegetable shine.

Snow peas are easy to find and endlessly versatile, prized in many kitchens around the world for their fresh flavor and tender crunch. Serve them as a light first course or as a side alongside roasted meats, grilled fish, or a spread of tapas.

Ingredients for Garlicky Snow Peas with Serrano Ham

For 2 servings

• 250 g snow peas
• Salt
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves
• 75 g serrano ham, cut into small cubes
• Ground black pepper

How to Make Garlicky Snow Peas with Serrano Ham Step by Step

1. Blanch the snow peas

Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the 250 g of snow peas and cook for exactly 1 minute, no longer, to soften them slightly and set a vibrant green color.

2. Shock in ice water

Drain the peas immediately and plunge them into a bowl of ice water you prepared ahead of time. The sudden temperature change stops the cooking and locks in that bright green hue.

3. Toast the garlic

Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat with 2 finely chopped garlic cloves. Let them turn lightly golden, watching closely so they don't brown too much and turn bitter.

4. Add the serrano ham

Once the garlic is ready, add the 75 g of cubed serrano ham to the pan. Sauté for 1 minute so the ham releases its flavor and mingles with the garlic, but don't overcook it.

5. Sauté the snow peas

Add the well-drained snow peas to the pan and sauté everything together for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally so nothing burns. Finish with ground black pepper to taste and adjust the salt carefully, since the ham is already salty.

Tips for the Best Garlicky Snow Peas with Serrano Ham

Keep the crunch

The one-minute blanch and quick ice bath are what keep the peas crisp and bright. Don't skip either step, and drain them well before they hit the pan so they sauté rather than steam.

Watch the garlic

Golden garlic is sweet and nutty, but burnt garlic turns bitter fast. Keep the heat at medium and stir often so every piece cooks evenly without scorching.

Try easy variations

Swap the serrano ham for shrimp, bacon for a smoky touch, or cooked ham for a milder version. The peas also pair beautifully with mushrooms or carrots, so feel free to experiment.

30 Recipes I Keep Coming Back to in My Own Kitchen

Like a lot of home cooks, I like having a go-to lineup that covers cozy classics, well-known dishes from around the globe, and desserts that make everyone at the table happy.

Some nights I want something luxurious, and that's when I reach for this La Viña Molten Cheesecake recipe, this refined Original French Crème Brûlée recipe, or a truly indulgent Chocolate Mousse Cake recipe. And whenever a fruity, comforting sweet sounds right, this timeless French Tarte Tatin recipe is the one I make.

Mornings and lighter meals call for these airy Oatmeal and Banana Pancakes recipe, a filling Stuffed Sweet Potato recipe, or these bright Eggs Stuffed with Avocado and Salmon recipe. And for a gluten-free staple to keep in the pantry, this straightforward Gluten-Free Rice Flour recipe is one I rely on.

For small plates and Mediterranean cooking, I bounce between this punchy Basque Tuna with Tomato recipe, crispy Patatas Bravas Air Fryer recipe, velvety Tirokafteri Greek Dip Sauce recipe, and a cool Burrata Salad with Tomato and Pesto recipe. This crisp Italian Vitello Tonnato recipe also comes out when I want the meal to feel a bit more special.

Hearty midday meals and snug evening dinners? I'm always pointing people toward this warming Meatballs in Spanish Sauce recipe, traditional Meatballs in Almond Sauce recipe, deeply savory Italian Bolognese Sauce recipe, and silky Chicken Croquettes in Thermomix recipe. When I need something more substantial, out comes this oven-baked Greek Pastitsio Pie recipe, homey Potatoes and Squid Stew recipe, or the deeply soothing French Boeuf Bourguignon recipe.

Whenever street food or party food is on my mind, I'll whip up this succulent Homemade Chicken Doner Kebab recipe, crispy Salchipapas recipe, bold Mexican Pork Carnitas recipe, or these crunchy Korean Hobak Jeon recipe. These effortless Air Fryer Zucchini Rings recipe are another one I serve as an easy starter or snack.

And when drinks plus a whole menu are needed for guests, I'll set dinner alongside this cooling Original Cuban Mojito recipe, this punchy Long Island Iced Tea recipe, or a pitcher of this fruity Bleeding Spanish Sangria recipe. To fill out the spread, I like putting this zippy French Remoulade Sauce recipe on the side, or closing things out with this eye-catching Mediterranean Black Rice with Squid recipe.

Even More Recipes the Whole Family Will Enjoy

After years of cooking, testing, and tweaking in my own kitchen, I've come to believe the greatest dishes are built on straightforward methods, dependable technique, and serious flavor.

Every recipe gathered here is one I genuinely come back to time and time again—whether it's a fast solo meal or a spread I'm putting together for loved ones.

On the sweet side, the rich, velvety Orange Chocolate Mousse Recipe is a go-to when I want something that feels fancy yet comes together easily. Another dessert I adore is the caramelized Trdelnik Slavic Pastry Recipe, modeled on the well-known Central European chimney cake. If baking is your thing, knowing how to make syrup for better dessert texture helps a lot, and my Inverted Sugar Recipe walks through exactly how I do it at home.

When something light and uncomplicated is what I'm after, I'll go with the timeless Italian Caprese Salad Recipe or a spot-on Simple Poached Egg Recipe. For cozier, heartier fare, I'm quick to suggest the filling Meatball Sandwich Recipe, the luscious Russian Stroganoff Beef Recipe, and the speedy weeknight winner One Pot Pasta Recipe.

I'm also a big fan of sharing dishes with roots around the world, like the genuine Sorropotún de Bonito Fish Stew Recipe, crispy Chilean Pumpkin Sopaipillas Recipe, and the traditional Spanish Cochifrito Segovian Fried Pig Recipe.

Air fryer cooking is another category I turn to often, since it's quick and still delivers terrific texture. The ones I make most are Air Fryer Pork Ribs Recipe, Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe, Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Baked Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Peppers Recipe, Air Fryer Mixed Sandwich Recipe, Air Fryer Toasted Bread Recipe, and Air Fryer Hard-Boiled Eggs Recipe.

And for anyone steering clear of wheat, my cozy Gluten-Free Lasagna Recipe shows that a classic baked pasta can still be rich, cheesy, and deeply satisfying without any gluten.

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