Snap beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) are known by various other names: green beans, wax beans, haricots verts and string beans, although the last term is not nearly as accurate as it was prior to the development of a stringless variety in the 1890s. If the roots are left in the ground after the tops are removed (or plowed under), the nitrogen also enriches the soil. An important benefit of legumes is nitrogen fixation: Bacteria in the root nodules of most legumes convert nitrogen in the air into a form usable by the plants. When early explorers first returned home with these natives of Central and South America, Europeans used them not as food crops but as ornamentals.Īll beans–as well as many other plants, including peas–belong to the Leguminosae family. Finally, bean plants–with their butterflylike blossoms in shades of red, pink or white–are downright pretty. And no wonder! They thrive in nearly every section of the country, tolerate soils that range from sandy to clay, and produce an abundant crop in around 50 days. Green beans and wax beans (otherwise known as snap beans), whose flavor complements that of many other homegrown vegetables, can be transformed into salads, soups, stews and a multitude of side dishes and casseroles.īeans are, in fact, the third most commonly grown garden vegetable in the United States, outranked only by tomatoes and peppers. Along with nutrition comes culinary versatility. Clutching the container to his chest, he’d set off on his little adventures, munching bean pods as if they were pretzel sticks.Īnd I couldn’t have been more pleased with his choice of snack, because, even when cooked, both green and yellow (or wax) beans are extremely low in fat and contain wholesome amounts of potassium and vitamins A, B 1, B 2 and C, as well as some phosphorus, calcium and iron. Nothing made him happier than a plastic cup stuffed with whole cooked beans. Many young children learn to dread the same parental liturgy: “Eat your beans they’re good for you.” But that wasn’t the case with my two-year-old son. Home Organization News, Blog, & Articles.Energy Efficiency News, Blog, & Articles.
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