Believe it or not, they can have too much water, which makes them a bit bland and stringy. In combination to that, this year i have enjoyed seeing them plump and ripe on my vine and i leave them to pick as needed, - only problem i know now that they can pit up and scar from having too much water and going too close to seed-ripened. Maybe they have that dying off look? Or maybe the heat wave we had mucked them about? (followed by lots of rain...) We might all be in the same boat this year. So anyhow, i'll use those particular ones as -stock seed and have a better crop next year for the experience.
Yum - that recipe is wicked nice and the sesame ads to the refreshing dynamic that snow-peas have :-)
