Beans are the finest form of protein on the planet. High in fiber, low in fat and chock full of nutrients, they’re a heart-healthy, earth-friendly alternative to animal proteins. In the summer, fresh favas and speckled cranberry beans are a special treat at the farmers market. But there’s another kind of locally grown legume worth seeking out this season: fresh dried beans.
Thanks to greater demand for plant-based proteins, more and more farmers are growing small batches of rare heirloom beans along with such staples as kidneys and pintos. You’ll find that these beans, which are freshly picked and dried, cook up faster, have far better texture and flavor, and are more nutritious than those bags of beans on the supermarket shelves that were harvested ages ago and may have languished in a warehouse for months.
Cayuga Pure Organics, an upstate New York farm, currently offers several varieties of fresh dried beans online, including the classic black turtle bean. A staple in soups and stews, black turtle beans also combine well with summer vegetables, as in this Asian-flavored Black Bean & Seaweed Salad recipe. For an all-out Asian version, substitute adzuki beans; kidney beans work well in this dish, too. It’s the perfect summer salad for a picnic; make it the day before so the flavors can meld, pop it in the fridge overnight, and then pack it along in your basket and enjoy!
