Salt-and-Pepper Edamame

Photo: flickr user norwichnuts

Ingredients

cup coarse sea salt

1 tablespoon Szechwan peppercorns

1 tablespoon pink peppercorns

1 bag frozen edamame - (1 lb)

(soybeans in the pod)

Preparation

Toast salt in a dry, small, heavy skillet over moderate heat, stirring, until the salt turns light tan, about 7 minutes. Transfer salt to a bowl.

Toast Szechwan peppercorns in skillet over moderate heat, stirring, until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Transfer toasted peppercorns to a sheet of waxed paper to cool. Using paper as a funnel, pour toasted peppercorns into an electric coffee/spice grinder or a mortar. Add pink peppercorns and pulse or pound with a pestle until finely ground. Pour through a coarse sieve into bowl of salt and stir together.

Cook edamame in salted boiling water until tender, about 4 minutes, and immediately transfer with a slotted spoon to a bowl of ice and cold water to stop cooking. Drain in a colander and pat dry.

Toss edamame with some peppered salt, to taste, and serve with remainder on the side.

This recipe yields 5 to 6 servings.

Cooks' Notes: Peppered salt may be made 1 week ahead and kept in an airtight container at cool room temperature. Edamame may be cooked 1 day ahead and chilled, covered. Bring to room temperature before tossing with peppered salt.