What are cannellini beans

[Joyce]

I looked all over for these beans last night. Could they go by a different name also? I want to make the pasta with spinach, beans and asiago cheese. Is there another bean I could use??

[BethR]

Were you looking for dried or canned? I find canned cannellinis with the other canned beans -- my store carries Progresso. I don't think they're very easy to find dried -- I think you have to find an Italian deli or mail order them. I think you could use navy beans as a substitute -- cannellinis are just a bit bigger. Good luck -- Beth

[lsdesign]

Cannellini are Italian white beans. Progresso brand has these I've noticed. I have substituted white kindey or navy beans when I can't find cannellini.

[Ohioan]

Great Northern beans can be used instead of cannellini beans. Or you can try kidney beans and close your eyes so you don't see that they're red instead of white. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif Seriously, cannellini beans are a white variety of kidney beans.

Cheers,
Phoebe

[Ohioan]

Well, it looks as if three of us answered at once -- lots of bean fans here. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif But I wouldn't try navy beans in place of cannellinis; the navy beans have a, well, a denser, smokier taste. Go with the kidneys. (No, no, I mean the kidney beans, not your own kidneys!)

Cheers again,
Phoebe

[Jessica]

Our store carries both cannellini and Great Northerns but I prefer Great Northerns. I find canned cannellini beans fall apart and get very mushy.

[SHERRY]

I love cannellini beans, The are also found under garbanzo beans. I use one for the other interchangeably. I finded them near the rest of the canned beans, or chili beans.

[Grace]

They put the cannellini beans separate from the regular beans in my store (???). I find the cannellini beans with the imported Italian stuff. I've only ever used them in the CL Roasted Red Pepper and Bean dip which is awesome. My husband has even asked for it again, recently. I have substituted Great Northern Beans though, successfully when I didn't have cannellinis on hand. Hope that helps.