Cranberry beans ??

[gabbyh]

Saw a great recipe in the New York Times this morning for "Summer Minestrone", and the first ingredient listed is "cranberry beans, shelled".
Anyone ever heard of, or used these guys?

[Ohioan]

Cranberry beans are a variety of beans that look something like pintos, but a little bigger. (In fact, you can substitute pintos, pink beans, or even small kidney beans, if you want to.) Since the recipe calls for "shelled" beans, they're probably looking for fresh beans rather than dried, but you can substitute dried beans if you cook them first until they're almost done.

Cheers,
Phoebe

[gabbyh]

Phoebe,
You are the best!!!

[Ohioan]

Originally posted by gabbyh
Phoebe,
You are the best!!!

Nah, just the beaniest. :D

Cheers,
Phoebe

[makedah]

I've never tasted them, but they were in EVERY grocery store when I visited home (South Carolina) although I'd never seen them before. I read that they are like pintos, but more flavorful.