The Season For Green Beans

Springtime means fresh and with it means fresh tasting, fresh looking foods. This includes the green bean. Long a staple of American dinners, it can be seen as one of the components of healthier eating. It's also versatile . Green beans can be the base of a casserole or a salad. They can be a wonderful side dish as well or even a snack.


Green beans or haricots verts from the French have been around for a long time. They're grown almost everywhere in the world, primarily coming from South American . Conquistadors introduced them to Spain and the French court as early as 1597 . It was only until the 19th Century that they became widely available to the masses. There are two kinds, pole and bush. Bush beans come from short plants two feet long. while pole beans comes form vines that grow up to six feet (these require a lot of staking and tying up if you decide to add them to your backyard garden). All in all any kind of green bean is good for you. They're rich in Vitamin C and are only 34 calories per cup.

What's the best way of serving green beans? My favorite is my Mom's salad, redolent with chopped onions and dressed in a simple vinaigrette. To me this is the best way of bringing out the beans' flavor. Southerners batter dip and fry them 9to me a waste of time, sorry). There;s the ubiquitous green bean casserole made with mushroom soup and those frizzled onions by French's. This is fine if you're into casseroles but I think the soup and various seasonings hides the beans' taste. Again I think the best way to enjoy green beans are if they're freshly picked and in any kind of salad with a light dressing. That way you'll be able to enjoy their earthy, sweet flavor.

Green beans are a healthy way to welcome Spring and summer eating. there;s nothing like them in a salad. Make them a part of your diet this warm weather season.