You can shell them, cook the peas and throw out the shells in the mulch. Cook peas in covered pot with a little salt in cold water until tender. Make sure they don't go dry or they will burn. Try one and see if they are done. They do take a while. When they are to your liking, drain them and serve with a little butter. Each person can put their own salt & pepper on them. Some people like to cook pearl onions and serve them together.