1. Fill a vegetable steamer or saucepan with enough water to cover the bottom of the pan but not enough to flow into the steamer insert or basket. 2. Turn a stove burner to high heat and bring the water to a full boil. 3. Add the sweet peas to the steamer insert or basket and set them over the boiling water. Make sure the boiling water does not touch the peas and, if necessary, empty a small amount of water from the pan into your kitchen sink. 4. Transfer to a bowl and season with salt and pepper. Add a small amount of butter or ghee if desired.