Beans On The Bone

Buying fresh beans in the pod instead of beans in the can is a bit like buying a whole chicken, neck and gizzards included. Whilst I know exactly what to do with canned beans or dried beans [or for that matter, chicken breast filets], beans on the bone are a different matter.

For the last two weeks, I’ve seen Cranberry beans, also known as Borlotti beans, hanging out at my local green market. They’re overflowing in plastic milk crates; sometimes next to green pods that frankly don’t look nearly as inviting or as mysterious. I think these beans have a subtle siren call because of that amazing pod.

The cranberry pod is long and naturally decorated in a white and red swirl pattern, like Florentine marbled paper.

It looks at once festive and foreboding. Crack open the husky pod and a white bean with a red swirl is revealed, waiting to be magically transformed into something delicious.

And that is my task as I finally heeded the call of the cranberry and brought some home.

Typing in fresh cranberry beans in my trusty google this link came up. That is what I will try first, keeping it simple. Stay tuned.