SALT-AND-PEPPER EDAMAME (SOYBEANS IN THE POD)

Salt-and-Pepper Edamame (Soybeans in the Pod) image

Time 45m

Yield Serves 20 (hors d'oeuvres)

Number Of Ingredients 4

1/2 cup coarse salt
2 tablespoons Sichuan peppercorns
2 tablespoons pink peppercorns
4 (1-pound) bags frozen edamame (soybeans in the pod)

Steps:

Toast salt in a dry, small, heavy skillet over moderate heat, stirring, until salt turns light tan, about 7 minutes. Transfer salt to a bowl. Toast Sichuan peppercorns in skillet over moderate heat, stirring, until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Transfer toasted peppercorns to a sheet of wax 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 4 batches 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. Return water to a boil between batches. Drain in a colander and pat dry.
Toss edamame with some peppered salt to taste and serve with remainder on the side.