Dragon Tongue Shelling Beans
Estimated Inventory, lb : 0
Description/Taste
Dragon Tongue shelling beans are encased in a buffed yellow pod with mottled burgundy patterns throughout the shell's surface. The shelled beans are pale pistachio green in color, their size, petite, and their shape, ovate and slightly curved. Raw Dragon Tongue shelling beans are typically lean, grassy and starchy while cooked beans develop a savory, rich and almost meaty flavor.
Seasons/Availability
Dragon Tongue shelling beans are available late summer.
Current Facts
Dragon Tongue shelling beans are an open pollinated Dutch heirloom wax bush bean that are known for their versatility as a multipurpose bean as they can be harvested fresh in pod or left to dry on the vine and utilized as a dried bean, where the beans are designated as a legume. If picked fresh as a snap bean, the beans take about 60 days to mature, while as a shelling bean, they require up to another 60 days to fully develop and dry on the vine. Not only is the bean edible, but the plant's foliage is also used as fodder in addition to being utilized as a mulching element, turning what is left of the plant into the soil to provide nutrients for future crops.
Applications
Young Dragon Tongue shelling beans can be prepared simply as one would standard green beans, pod and all. Simple preparations include blanching and tossing with herbed butter or vinaigrette. Shelled beans can be boiled or sauteed and tossed with tomatoes, herbs and torn croutons and served as a simple summer salad, pureed into a smooth dip akin to hummus, simmered in chicken stock and served as a savory soup, braised with fresh sweet corn as a ragu, or tossed with pasta or gnocchi as a main dish. Other complimentary pairings include bacon, leeks, cream, yogurt, mint, basil, chiles, cumin, oregano, fresh and aged cheeses.
Geography/History
Dragon Tongue shelling beans are native to the Netherlands, where farmers began to experiment with bean varietals looking for a sweet bean that was also waxy. In addition to achieving their dual sweet and waxy nature, Dragon Tongue shelling beans are considered nearly effortless to grow, easy to maintain and harvest. Individual plant yields are also quite high on average, making them a highly suitable bean for home gardeners. Dragon Tongue shelling beans prefer temperate regions, full sun and moderate soil moisture. They will be ready for harvest in any planting zone by mid-summer.
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Dragon Tongue Shelling Beans. One
is easiest, three is harder.| Seasoned to Taste |
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Summer Succotash with Bacon and Garlic Croutons |
