Monday, November 25, 2013

A Hill of Beans


Growing dried beans wasn't ever on my wish list of things to grow when I lived in the city. In fact, we were out here living the dream for several years before inspiration struck. It was while visiting the farmer's market where friends were selling bean flour made from beans grown entirely in Ontario that I had my a-ha moment. After trialing one variety last summer, I grew a few more varieties of heirloom seeds this year and the results are an overwhelming success. 


They're super easy to store all winter long and so chocked full of protein that I see a lot of soups and stews and pots of chili in our future as a meat alternative. Anyone have a good bean recipe? If so, I'd love to hear it. 


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14 comments:

  1. I've grown Jacob's Cattle Beans And Vermont Cranberry beans fur years, but gave yet to figure out just how many to plant so they're useful. Seems that planting 20-30 of them only yields enough to replant the next year. Ideas?

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  2. These are beautiful . . looks like i have a lot of learning to do . . Thank you for sharing this - I like your ideas - Now, I'll have to "hit the books."

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  3. My favorite has always been October Beans. I haven't seen them in years but boy I shelled them when I was a kid. They were such a pretty bean. Maybe the are going by a different name now.

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  4. Beans are my favorite. I mostly use them for chili (my fave) but I love them in soups, too.

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  5. They are like tiny pieces of art - gorgeous. I so wish my family would eat beans - I love them; but alias ...

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  6. I had a lot of success with beans this year also! I grew black turtle beans, which is a bush bean meant to be dried, and McCaslan 42, which is a pole bean that you eat as a tender green bean (delicious)or as a dried white (like a navy) bean. I got three gallons of the McCaslan green beans in my freezer, so I let the rest mature on the vine for dried beans and have more than of quart of those! Of course, I only plant organic, heirloom beans! I love the cattle beans and may try them next year!

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  7. Pretty beans! I like them cooked til tender, then added to kale and cooked with some butter and seasoning. Yum!

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  8. Fantastic ! Glad it was a success for you ! Lovely photos ! Thanks for sharing . Have a good week !

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  9. That was quite the yield. Way to go and who knew beans could look so pretty.

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  10. Oh I love the names of your beans. Ontario grown beans are what I have been buying at the store but I think I should be growing my own too. Oh I throw beans in everyone of my soup recipes called for or not:) Great shots. Hug B

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  11. I never knew there were such pretty beans out there. Nice job.

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Thank you so much for stopping by the old farmhouse!