snow pea

1. A variety of the common pea (Pisum sativum var. macrocarpon) in the pea family, having a soft pod that lacks the fibrous inner lining of the common pea.
2. The edible young pod of this plant.

The fact that this legume is entirely edible-including the pod-accounts for its French name, mange-tout, or "eat it all." Its almost translucent, bright green pod is thin and crisp. The tiny seeds inside are tender and sweet. Snow peas are available year-round with peak seasons in the spring and fall. Choose crisp, brightly colored pods with small seeds. Refrigerate in a plastic bag for up to 3 days. Both tips of a snow pea should be pinched off just before using. They're an essential vegetable in Chinese cooking and may also be used raw in salads. Snow peas are also called Chinese snow peas. See also pea.

The noun has 2 meanings:

Meaning #1: variety of pea plant producing peas having thin flat edible pods
  Synonym: sugar pea

Meaning #2: green peas with flat edible pods
  Synonym: sugar pea