Tender, crunchy and full of goodness, green beans are the perfect, no-fuss side vegetable that goes with pretty much anything. They can be eaten raw, steamed, boiled, stir-fried or baked, made into a delicious green bean soup, or added to stews and casseroles, including Thanksgiving favourite, green bean casserole. Their tender texture also makes them perfect for coating in batter and deep-frying.
As well as being delicious, green beans are also incredibly good for you. They’re low in calories, virtually fat-free, and crammed full of nutrients. One cup of uncooked green beans contains around 25 percent of the daily recommended value for vitamin C, 15 percent for vitamin A, and 10 percent of the B vitamin folate, all for just 31 calories.. They are also a good source of plant protein, along with various important minerals including calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and zinc.
Green beans can actually refer to several different cultivars of the common bean, all of which are eaten while the fruit is still immature, with tiny, unripe beans in an edible pod. They are also commonly known as French beans, string beans, or haricot vert.
Hugely popular with gardeners because they are so easy to grow, green beans produce a bumper crop throughout the end of the summer, so if you do have some growing in your vegetable garden, it’s a good idea to have plenty of green bean recipes to hand. They are also served in huge dishes at family potlucks and holiday meals, so even the biggest bean lovers can sometimes end up with leftovers, particularly around holiday season.
Leftover green beans recipe
Whether you have a summer bean crop that keeps on growing, or some tasty holiday leftovers, make the most of your bean bounty with these tasty green bean recipes.
