Monk peas have a fascinating story with them and are classified as heirloom seeds.
Gregor Mendel, an Austrian monk, discovered the basic principles of heredity and did extensive studies using peas most of the time because the offspring could be quickly and easily produced. These seeds grow into dwarf plants with pink and white flowers and are perfect for making pea soup. 
Last year they were planted on May 14, and by May 19 they were sprouting.
The pretty pink and white flowers started to appear by mid June and the small pea pods developed as the flowers finished.
On July 12, with the help of my granddaughter, we started to harvest them. The pea pods are smaller than regular pods and the peas have more of a squarish shape to them.
The first ones didn’t taste as sweet as regular peas and there were usually just 2 in pod as compared to 4 or more in the regular pods.
There are lots more to pick and some will be left on the plant to dry and use as seed for next year. This has been one of the successful experiments to grow this year.
Other unusual veggies I’ve grown in my kitchen garden are okra, potato beans, Kabouli black chickpeas and monk peas.
The Gardener Side grows: bulbs, corms & tubers, plants, seeds & seedpods, and veggies & herbs in different garden areas
Anna
Hi, thanks for the post! I have never grown monk peas. Probably I should try. Besides being edible they have such pretty pink flowers!