My mother’s friend brought the seeds of these beautiful runner beans back from Italy sometime last year, and they were finally harvested. I have to admit, I kinda like the idea of her secreting seeds away in her purse and steeling across international borders. All for the love of gardening. Actually, it was all probably on the up and up, but I still giggle at the idea of a sweet bespectacled lady responding innocently to the Customs agent, “Only a liter of Chianti, sir.”
Really, I absolutely do not condone smuggling or any illegal behavior. I promise. I blame it on my evil twin who likes the naughtiness of it all. Like drinking Cuban rum.
Anyway…
These beans are huge! And they are so tender and buttery. We steamed them until slightly soft, but still with some crispness, then simply tossed them with a little butter and salt and pepper.
I love when food takes the least amount of preparation, yet tastes more divine than anything.
(And, I swear, smuggled beans from Italy do taste just a little sweeter. But don’t tell!)
5 responses so far ↓
1 Sean // Aug 28, 2008 at 12:24 pm
Yum yummity yum! I predict a little pancetta in their future!
2 Ken // Aug 28, 2008 at 1:11 pm
I know these beans! They are delicious — especially raw.
Hey, if a little prep is nice, no prep is best.
Hats off to you guys for growing your own food!
3 Alisa // Aug 30, 2008 at 4:13 am
I also love buttered vegetables, but these beans do look big!
4 Cat // Aug 31, 2008 at 12:56 am
I hate to pop up and be pedantic because the blog is great but what you have there are Runner Beans, fagiolo bianco di Spagna.
Broad bean is another name for Fava bean.
5 Sheri Wetherell // Aug 31, 2008 at 10:11 pm
Thanks, Cat, for the correction! We were told they were broad beans, but upon further researched we confirmed they are, as you pointed out, runner beans.
Thanks again!
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