It’s no surprise that we’re all about dried beans at NOURISH Evolution. They’re rich in fiber and protein, and a good source of iron, calcium, zinc and B vitamins. They’re cheap, too, offering plenty of nutrition for just pennies.
As far as I’m concerned, that’s just the nice bonus. The real appeal is the rich comfort of a plate of beans or other legumes — these Santa Maria-Style Beans wrapped in a warm tortilla for lunch, or a flavorful bowl of Red Lentil Dal with Caramelized Onions, Carrots and Peas over brown rice on a chilly night.
Heirloom beans–heritage breeds that are the legume equivalent of ancient grains–hold even more allure. When I spy packages of them in the store, I’m seduced by their gorgeous colors and patterns. Even their names evoke culinary romance. How can I resist splashy burgundy-swirled Anasazis (first cultivated by the Navajos) or the purple-and-ivory splotched Appaloosas (another Southwest favorite)? Or the dramatic black-and-white Calypso beans that evoke the yin/yang icon or the smaller version known as the Orca? This weekend, I was won over by shiny Eye of Goat beans, a Baja California native with subtle brown-on-brown swirls.
Given that we eat with eyes first, heirloom beans do a great job of selling themselves.
Heirloom beans can be used interchangeably with more common varieties. Just consider the bean’s size and characteristics. Their flavor ranges from mild and slightly sweet to full-bodied and earthy; their texture varies from creamy to firm.
Though you’re unlikely to find heirloom beans at the local supermarket, they’re still easy to find. Whole Foods carries several varieties (that’s where I spied my Eye of Goats), and I’ve even grabbed packages of golden Yellow Indian Woman beans at World Market. Your farmers’ market may offer some locally grown varieties. And, of course, there are many online sources, including Rancho Gordo, Zursun Beans and Purcell Mountain Farms. Yes, you’ll pay a good bit more for these babies than for more common varieties–about $5 a pound. But that’s still only about 40 cents a serving.
Really, isn’t that a bargain for so much history, romance and flavor?