Cranberry Beans: A Delicious and Versatile Legume

If you’re a fan of beans it’s time to expand your palate and pantry to include cranberry beans. These speckled pink legumes have a lovely appearance and mildly sweet nutty flavor that makes them ideal for both savory and sweet dishes.

While not as widely used as pinto or black beans, cranberry beans deserve a place in home kitchens. Let’s explore what exactly cranberry beans are, what makes them unique, and the many ways they can be enjoyed.

What are Cranberry Beans?

Cranberry beans go by several other names, including borlotti beans, Roman beans, saluggia beans, and rosecoco beans. Their moniker comes from their distinctive white beans mottled with reddish-pink speckles resembling cranberries.

These plump, oval beans have a thin skin and creamy texture When cooked, their speckles fade as the beans become light brown, but the pinkish tone remains

Cranberry beans originated in Colombia and were spread through Europe by Italian immigrants. They are especially popular in Mediterranean cuisine but used worldwide.

While raw cranberry beans are edible, they are most often cooked before eating. Dried beans must be soaked before cooking. Canned cranberry beans offer a convenient alternative when time is short.

Key Characteristics and Flavor

What sets cranberry beans apart? Here are their defining qualities:

• Appearance – Their colorful speckled skin makes cranberry beans visually striking, especially in salads or side dishes.

• Texture – Soft and creamy when cooked, with a dense, substantial mouthfeel.

• Taste – Earthy and mildly sweet, with a subtle nuttiness reminiscent of chestnuts. More robust flavor than white beans.

• Cooking – Relatively quick cooking compared to other dried bean varieties. Don’t require overnight soaking.

• Nutrition – Excellent source of plant-based protein, fiber, iron, magnesium, potassium, folate and antioxidants like anthocyanins that cause their pink hue.

Overall, cranberry beans are extremely versatile thanks to their mild flavor and smooth, creamy texture when cooked. Their nutrition profile offers health benefits as well.

Popular Uses for Cranberry Beans

Cranberry beans adapt well to both savory and sweet recipes spanning breakfast to dessert. Here are some of their most popular uses:

• Salads – Their pretty speckled appearance makes cranberry beans an attractive salad ingredient. Pair them with greens, vegetables, nuts, and a tangy dressing.

• Soups & stews – Cranberry beans work nicely in chilled bean salads, hearty stews, and pureed soups. They hold their shape well when cooked.

• Sides – Toss cooked cranberry beans with olive oil, fresh herbs, and lemon for a simple side. Or mix with grains like farro or barley.

• Meat dishes – Substitute cranberry beans for pinto or kidney beans in chili, tacos, burgers, etc. They stand up well to bold seasonings.

• Pasta & risotto – Cooked cranberry beans add protein, texture, and color to pasta dishes, risottos, and grain bowls.

• Purees – Blend cooked cranberries into dips and spreads. Add garlic, herbs, and olive oil for a bean hummus.

• Baked goods – Pureed cranberry beans work beautifully in cakes, breads, pancakes, and cookies, adding moisture, texture, and nutrition.

• Breakfast – Make a savory bean scramble by cooking cranberry beans with eggs, veggies, and spices.

As you can see, these beans have a place on menus from morning to night. Their versatility makes them easy to incorporate into your cooking.

Tasty Cranberry Bean Recipes to Try

Here are just a few delicious ways to put cranberry beans on the table:

• Cranberry Bean Salad – Toss cooked beans with chopped veggies, feta, and balsamic vinaigrette.

• Minestrone with Cranberry Beans – Add beans and pasta shells to this Italian vegetable soup.

• Cranberry Bean Hummus – Puree beans with tahini, garlic, and olive oil for a protein punch.

• Cranberry Bean Chili – Make a hearty meat or vegan chili with cranberry beans as the base.

• Cranberry Bean Cake – Bake up a wonderfully moist cranberry bean cake for dessert.

• Breakfast Cranberry Bean Scramble – Sauté beans, greens, and spices for a protein-packed breakfast.

• Cranberry Bean Risotto – Cook beans with Arborio rice, Parmesan, and herbs for a creamy risotto.

With a little creativity in the kitchen, the possibilities for preparing delicious cranberry bean dishes are endless. They pair nicely with Italian, Greek, Middle Eastern, and Latin American flavors.

Where to Buy Cranberry Beans

Cranberry beans can be purchased dried or canned:

• Dried – Available in the bulk bins or packaged at well-stocked grocery stores, health food stores, and online. Opt for beans that are uniform in size.

• Canned – Several brands like Goya, Eden Foods, and Progresso sell pre-cooked cranberry beans. Rinse before using.

• Online – Specialty purveyors like Rancho Gordo or Zürsun Idaho Heirloom Beans sell mail-order cranberry beans.

When buying dried, look for plump beans without blemishes, splits, or broken skins. One cup of dried beans equals about three cups cooked.

For convenience, canned beans are hard to beat. Always drain and rinse canned beans to remove excess sodium.

However you procure them, seek out high-quality cranberry beans to enjoy their fabulous flavor and versatility.

Discover the Joy of Cooking with Cranberry Beans

Cranberry beans deserve more time in the spotlight. Their pleasant taste and texture make them endlessly adaptable to both sweet and savory dishes.

Beyond their culinary virtues, these speckled legumes provide a healthy dose of plant-based protein, fiber, and key micronutrients. They make an affordable, nutrition-packed ingredient.

So next time you’re shopping for beans, grab a bag of dried cranberry beans or a few cans. Incorporating these underrated legumes into your recipes will add beautiful color, texture, and flavor to your kitchen creations.