My latest "discovery" is locally grown flageolet beans. Picked up a small bag at the farmer's market a couple of months ago. The first time I used them was with a lamb shank braise....I was so happy with the end results. I will definitely be buying more in the fall when they become available again. I also bought a small bag of their black beans and am really looking forward to working with them.
Love the bean co. recommendation!!! Good dried beans are hard to find (so many are too old and don't cook up right) and looks like they have some fascinating varieties. I'm partial to pink beans + rice with all kinds of spices but looks like I need to expand my bean horizons!
Pink beans and rice...is that like red beans and rice? Which beans do you use. I'm curious! And yes, thankfully there are some good bean growers and purveyors out there. There's also Rancho Gordo, but everyone seems to know about them, so I thought I'd give some love to Zursun. So many fascinating varieties...
Yes, similar to red beans and rice but not quite the same. The pink beans are somewhat creamy with a skin that doesn't mush like pintos but isn't tough like red beans (large or small) I see that Zursun sells them, Goya is the easiest to find brand that sells them in Latin groceries labeled as "typical of Puerto Rican cuisine" but the Zursun look better for a variety of reasons, I pressure cook mine with bay leaves and then season with a sofrito of Olive oil, onions, garlic and turmeric with a variety of toasted then fresh ground spices, cumin seeds, ajwain seeds, nigella seeds, pink salt mixed Indian style (meaning spices well set and sauteed before mixing in with beans)- served over plain jasmine rice. Italian friends, US Americans and Latinos all swear by this rice and beans dish.
Got my Zursun beans last week. Fabulous! Very fresh and high quality, working my way through 6 different types. Christmas Limas and Cranberries both wonderful. Took my pink beans and rice (mentioned above) to a hog roast last weekend and it almost took over the main billing, ha. People are looking for climate friendlier, super tasty ways to eat. Grains, legumes and veggies with a small side of meat!
I'm so pleased you ordered and like the Zursun beans. Also, I got distracted and never ordered pink beans. going to do that right now. A hog roast with pink beans and rice sounds heavenly...
Excellent, I hope you enjoy, if you have any recipe questions when you get them just let me know. I have a process and recipe that I've honed for 20+ yrs.
Your cabbage and bean soup sounds just prefect to warm a winter night. I will definitely try it. My Nonna used to make Savoy cabbage and beans often. Not a soup, but I imagine similar flavors.
They make such a good pairing, don't they. And if you let this sit around for a day or so, it does become more like a stew than a soup. Delicious either way.
I recently made something like this - Zuppa alla canavesana - and it is VERY good! This soup had no beans but similar flavors. It’s a delicious early Spring meal.
I just finished making this soup using Rancho Gordo Marcella beans 🫘 and it’s so delicious! 🥰 Thank you for this recipe - it will be a new regular in our house 🍲
My latest "discovery" is locally grown flageolet beans. Picked up a small bag at the farmer's market a couple of months ago. The first time I used them was with a lamb shank braise....I was so happy with the end results. I will definitely be buying more in the fall when they become available again. I also bought a small bag of their black beans and am really looking forward to working with them.
Flageolet beans are so pretty with their pale creamy green color. I've never cooked them. Must give them a try!
You must give them a try! Besides the lovely creamy green colour, they have a very nice texture. I've given up Cannellini beans in favour of them!
Love the bean co. recommendation!!! Good dried beans are hard to find (so many are too old and don't cook up right) and looks like they have some fascinating varieties. I'm partial to pink beans + rice with all kinds of spices but looks like I need to expand my bean horizons!
Pink beans and rice...is that like red beans and rice? Which beans do you use. I'm curious! And yes, thankfully there are some good bean growers and purveyors out there. There's also Rancho Gordo, but everyone seems to know about them, so I thought I'd give some love to Zursun. So many fascinating varieties...
Yes, similar to red beans and rice but not quite the same. The pink beans are somewhat creamy with a skin that doesn't mush like pintos but isn't tough like red beans (large or small) I see that Zursun sells them, Goya is the easiest to find brand that sells them in Latin groceries labeled as "typical of Puerto Rican cuisine" but the Zursun look better for a variety of reasons, I pressure cook mine with bay leaves and then season with a sofrito of Olive oil, onions, garlic and turmeric with a variety of toasted then fresh ground spices, cumin seeds, ajwain seeds, nigella seeds, pink salt mixed Indian style (meaning spices well set and sauteed before mixing in with beans)- served over plain jasmine rice. Italian friends, US Americans and Latinos all swear by this rice and beans dish.
well that sounds delicious. I will look for the pink beans on Zursun's site.
Got my Zursun beans last week. Fabulous! Very fresh and high quality, working my way through 6 different types. Christmas Limas and Cranberries both wonderful. Took my pink beans and rice (mentioned above) to a hog roast last weekend and it almost took over the main billing, ha. People are looking for climate friendlier, super tasty ways to eat. Grains, legumes and veggies with a small side of meat!
I'm so pleased you ordered and like the Zursun beans. Also, I got distracted and never ordered pink beans. going to do that right now. A hog roast with pink beans and rice sounds heavenly...
Excellent, I hope you enjoy, if you have any recipe questions when you get them just let me know. I have a process and recipe that I've honed for 20+ yrs.
Your cabbage and bean soup sounds fabulous. Saving!
My favorite bean is Rio Zape from Rancho Gordo.
I had to look that one up. Sounds fantastic. Beans have so much character. Thanks for bringing it to my attention, June.
Your cabbage and bean soup sounds just prefect to warm a winter night. I will definitely try it. My Nonna used to make Savoy cabbage and beans often. Not a soup, but I imagine similar flavors.
Thank you Domenica
They make such a good pairing, don't they. And if you let this sit around for a day or so, it does become more like a stew than a soup. Delicious either way.
I recently made something like this - Zuppa alla canavesana - and it is VERY good! This soup had no beans but similar flavors. It’s a delicious early Spring meal.
Diane
oh yes, that is a good one. Heartier, with bread and cheese in the mix. Thanks for the reminder.
I just finished making this soup using Rancho Gordo Marcella beans 🫘 and it’s so delicious! 🥰 Thank you for this recipe - it will be a new regular in our house 🍲
Happy to hear you made and enjoyed it!