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Packsize | 5/5 LB |
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The Christmas Lima Bean is a large, flat, heirloom-variety pole bean with a swirling maroon pattern on a white background. These markings remain visible after cooking. Its chestnut-like flavor and flaky texture make it a distinctive bean for a variety of culinary applications.
Packsize | 5/5 LB |
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Experiment with unique variations on the traditional corn and lima bean succotash, incorporating other seasonal vegetables, fresh herbs and even chiles, add to fresh seasonal vegetable soups, or even toss with cooked pasta.
Cannellini beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) are relatives of the kidney bean; in fact, they are sometimes called white kidney beans because they look like just that. They are also called fazolia beans and are popular in Italian cuisine. They are about a half inch long, kidney shaped, and have a tough skin. Their flavor is mildly nutty and their texture is smooth and creamy when cooked. This bean was originally cultivated in Argentina by Italian immigrants and later taken to Italy where they are now grown commercially.
Suggested Use:
Cannellini beans have a nutty flavor which is wonderful in pasta e fasolia, minestrone soup, hearty stews and the list goes on Try Cannellini Beans in a cold salad with marinated artichoke hearts, fresh basil and olive oil.
Basic Prep:
Rinse beans thoroughly. Place beans in pot and add water to cover by 2 inches. Bring to a boil over high heat. Turn heat off and let beans soak for 1 hour. Drain. Add beans back to pot, cover again with 2 inches of fresh water and add a generous pinch of salt. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a simmer and cook for 45 minutes, or until beans are tender. 1 cup dry yields 2-1/2 cups cooked.
Popular in the Mediterranean region of Europe, Lupini Beans are often found at Italian fairs and as an appetizer at Spanish beer halls. In the past Lupins were rarely used as a grain food due the the bitter taste from the high alkaloid content of the bean. In the the last 30 years a strain with reduced alkaloid content has been developed, called ‘sweet’ Lupins. This ‘sweet’ strain still requires soaking and extended cooking to remove the alkaloids. All this effort is worth it. The Lupins family of the grain legumes are one of the highest in protein content, second only to soy beans. Cover 1 cup beans in salted water and soak overnight. Bring 2 quarts fresh water to boil. Add rinsed beans and simmer for about 3 hours, until skins are smooth. Beans should be tender, yet still firm. Soak beans in salted water until bitterness goes away, changing water once daily. One cup dry yields 3 cups cooked.
Garbanzo Beans (Cicer arietinum) are small, hard, knobby, beige beans about 3/8 inch round. The nutty flavor and firm texture of the Garbanzo Bean makes it very versatile. Also known as chick peas, Ceci, cici, cheechee, Pois Chiche, Gran, Kabuli, Channa, or Safaid Beans. Garbanzo are found often in Indian and Mediterranean dishes. They are high in fat content and are a good source of calcium, the B Vitamins, protein and iron. Ground Garbanzo Beans are used to make fritters, dumplings and spicy breads. Ground Garbanzo Beans are also referred to as Cici Flour or Chick Pea Flour. Garbanzos are believed to have come from Mesopotamia and were first cultivated about 5000 BCE.
Shell-less, peeled, blanched and quick freeze, fava beans are a popular ingredient in Mediterranean cuisine for salad, tartars, hummus and vegetarian dish.
Cranberry (Borlotti) Beans (Phaseolus Vulgaris) are related to the Kidney Bean (Phaseolus Vulgaris). Cranberries are like the Pinto Bean but reversed in color with pink skin and maroon mottling. They are somewhat plumper than the Pinto and are about 1/2 inch long. Cranberry Beans have a sweet, mild flavor. Also referred to as a borlotto, crab eye, roman, romano, rosecoco or saluggia bean.They may be interchanged in recipes wherever Borlotti or Saluggia Beans are required. Like their Mexican and Italian cousins (Pinto and Kidney), they will turn pink when cooked.
Suggested Use:
In Italy, Cranberry (Borlotti) Beans are used in pasta dishes and soups. Add them to rice dishes, stews, casseroles, cold bean and vegetable salads. For a quick and flavorful salad toss the beans with crumbled gorgonzola cheese, olive oil and a dash of fresh rosemary.
Basic Prep:
Soak overnight in plenty of water. Drain, rinse and place in a large pot that has a lid. Add enough water to cover beans by 1 inch. Bring to a boil for 3 minutes, reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 45 minutes until tender. One cup dry yields 3 cups cooked.