Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
it can be grown to ripeness in southern Norway and at 4000 ft. (1200 m) in the Alps of South Tyrol,
Italy. It is rarely grown in southern Europe and northern Africa.
Runner beans develop gnarly pods that are only usable as a green bean when young.
A southern Swiss special
Runner beans have been grown (and grown well) since their introduction to Switzerland, and
from the municipality of Poschiavo comes a special variety of runner bean, 'Fasöi dalla minestra
da Dumega', whose ripe
fasöi
(beans)—a mixture of white and violet-black—were eaten as a
side dish to barley soup. The former derive from red blossoms, the latter white.
LESSER-KNOWN BEANS
for adventurous gardeners
A multitude of cultivated beans, not just the common bean and the runner bean, stand ready to enliven
any home garden. Because of their need for heat, many of these have yet to gain popularity in the
milder climes of Europe, though in warmer lands they are important staple crops. Those who give
these lesser-known beans their attention are rewarded with plants that serve well as ornamentals,
ground cover, extravagant meals, or sprouts. The blossoms and pods of hyacinth beans make for won-
derful ornaments, lima beans and mung beans are delectable, cowpea blossoms exude a glorious fra-
grance and develop long, spaghetti-like pods, and the young pods of the asparagus pea taste just like
their namesake.
WHAT YOU'LL NEED
