Demystifying White Italian Beans: Getting to Know Cannellini Beans

This White Beans: The Ultimate Guide to Great Northern, Navy, Lima and Cannellini Beans post includes affiliate links. When I find a great product or service, I like to share it with my readers. Sometimes I use affiliate links so I can earn a commission for my recommendations. Thank you for your support!.

Allow me to talk about legumes, and more specifically, let’s get down to one of my favorite vegan ingredients: white beans. This section of beans has a lot of healthy choices that can be used in some really tasty vegan recipes. For example, Vegan Cassoulet, Vegan White Bean Soup, and Rich and Savory Kale

Italian cuisine is renowned worldwide for its rich flavors, fresh ingredients, and hearty meals. And one ingredient that frequently makes an appearance in Italian cooking is the white bean. But what exactly are these creamy legumes called? Let’s unravel the mystery of the white Italian bean.

The most common white bean used in Italian cooking is called the cannellini bean, sometimes referred to as the “Italian kidney bean.” This large, oval white bean has a smooth, creamy texture and a lovely nutty, earthy flavor.

Cannellini beans originated in Tuscany and have been a dietary staple in Italy for centuries. They are one of the most widely used bean varieties in Italian cuisine and a classic component of dishes like minestrone soup, pasta e fagioli, and Tuscan bean salads.

When cooked, cannellini beans become soft and creamy, making them perfect for pureeing into dips and spreads. Their mild flavor allows them to pair well with all sorts of ingredients, making them a versatile pantry staple. Let’s take a closer look at these delightful beans!

Key Characteristics of Cannellini Beans

Cannellini beans have some distinctive characteristics that set them apart from other white bean varieties:

Large and oval in shape, with a length of 05–1cm
Bright white exterior with a smooth, creamy texture when cooked.
Subtle earthy, nutty flavor with mild sweetness Not as rich as other bean varieties.
Firm texture that holds its shape well when cooked. Doesn’t become mushy.
Grow in a durable green pod on small bushy plants.
Dried cannellini beans need to be soaked before cooking to rehydrate.

Understanding what makes cannellini beans unique helps you appreciate their flavor and texture in Italian dishes. Now let’s look at how to cook with them.

Cooking Techniques for Cannellini Beans

Cannellini beans require some preparation before they are ready to add to your favorite Italian recipes. Here are some key steps:

If using dried beans, soak them for at least 8 hours or overnight in water to rehydrate. Drain and rinse before cooking.
Simmer the beans in fresh water or vegetable broth for around 1 hour until fork tender. Don’t add salt initially as it can prevent softening.
For a quicker method, boil soaked beans for 10 minutes then transfer to a pressure cooker for 15-20 minutes.
Beans can also be cooked in a slow cooker on low heat for 6-8 hours until soft.
Canned cannellini beans can be used directly in recipes. Just drain and rinse before adding.

Once cooked, cannellini beans are ready to add delicious creaminess to soups, stews, pasta dishes, and salads! Adjust seasoning and flavors as needed.

Dishes That Showcase Cannellini Beans

Since they’re such a staple ingredient in Italian cooking, cannellini beans shine in many classic regional dishes:

Pasta e fagioli – A hearty pasta and bean soup, often with tomatoes, garlic, and parmesan.
Minestrone – Mixed with vegetables like carrots, zucchini and spinach in this classic soup.
Ribollita – A Tuscan specialty of bread, beans, and vegetables simmered into a thick stew.
Salad with beans, tomato, and onion – Tossed in a lemony vinaigrette, this is a quintessential Italian salad.
Tuscan white bean dip – Pureed with olive oil, garlic, and herbs. Great as a spread or dip.

The mild flavor and creamy texture of cannellini beans make them very versatile. They’re also used in casseroles, lasagnas, crostini toppings, and more!

Nutritional Benefits of Cannellini Beans

In addition to adding delicious flavor to Italian recipes, cannellini beans provide some stellar nutritional benefits:

Excellent plant-based source of lean protein – around 13g per one cup cooked.
Packed with dietary fiber – over 10g per cup to support digestion.
Provide a variety of vitamins and minerals like iron, magnesium, potassium and folate.
Low glycemic index makes them beneficial for blood sugar control.
Contain antioxidants that may help lower inflammation and reduce disease risk.
No cholesterol or saturated fat, making them heart healthy.

Adding more cannellini beans to your diet is a tasty way to increase protein intake, manage weight, and support overall wellbeing. A true nutritional powerhouse!

Tips for Using Cannellini Beans

Here are some helpful tips for making the most of cannellini beans:

Pair with bold flavors like garlic, rosemary, sage, and parmesan which complement their mild taste.
Toss beans with pasta for an easy, protein-packed meal. Beans add great texture.
Mash or puree cooked beans to thicken soups and dips without cream or oil.
For a creamier texture, stir some of the cooking liquid into beans before adding to recipes.
Substitute cannellini beans in any recipe that calls for pinto beans, chickpeas or navy beans.

With their versatility, cannellini beans are an Italian kitchen staple you’ll want to always have on hand.

Where to Buy Cannellini Beans

Cannellini beans can be purchased dried or canned:

Dried beans are widely available in the bulk bins or packaged at most grocery stores, health food stores, Italian markets and online stores like Amazon. Opt for beans that are uniform in size and have an even color.
Canned cannellini beans offer convenience and can be found with other canned beans and vegetables in grocery stores. Seek BPA-free cans if possible.
When buying canned, choose low or reduced sodium options to better control salt content. Rinse before using to remove excess sodium.
If available, purchase organic dried or canned beans as they are not genetically modified.

With a long shelf life when stored properly, cannellini beans are a smart pantry staple to always keep on hand.

Storing Cannellini Beans

To maintain freshness and extend shelf life, store cannellini beans properly:

Keep dried beans in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. They will last up to a year when stored correctly.
Cooked cannellini beans will last 3–5 days refrigerated in an airtight container. They also freeze well for longer storage.
Once opened, canned beans should be transferred to an airtight container and refrigerated. Use within 3-5 days for best quality.

Proper storage helps preserve the texture, flavor, and nutrients of your cannellini beans so they are always ready when you need them!

Time to Try Cannellini Beans!

Hopefully this guide has demystified those delicious white beans and shed light on all the joys of cooking with cannellini beans. With their mild, creamy taste and versatility, they are a staple of Italian cuisine for good reason. Whether simmered in a hearty minestrone or pureed into a luscious dip, cannellini beans are sure to add soul-satisfying flavor. What are you waiting for? Grab a bag of these white beauties and get cooking! Buon appetito!

what are the white italian beans called

Soaking Beans in a Brine Solution

If soaking beans is good, soaking dried beans in a brine solution is even better! Adding salt to the water where the beans are soaking softens the skins, which makes the beans taste better overall. It also helps to prevent the beans splitting and shedding their skins. Cooks’ Illustrated says to soak 1 pound of dried beans in 3 tablespoons of salt and 4 quarts of cold water.

Should You Discard the Bean Soaking Water?

My research shows that opinions on this are mixed. Some experts say that you should use the water that the beans were soaked in because it will help the flavors and colors of the beans stay.

Team de-gassers say the opposite. Before you cook the beans, you soaked them to get rid of the sugars that cause gas. So why would you use that water to cook? An excellent point, I think. I always discard my soaking water, then rinse the soaked beans before cooking with them.

Cannellini Beans Great Northern Beans What’s The Difference

FAQ

What are the most common Italian beans?

While there are innumerable varieties of beans available across Italy, many of them native to specific regions or even towns, the most common are cannellini and borlotti, which are found almost everywhere, which means that most versions of traditional pasta e fagioli feature one or both of these beans.

Is there another name for cannellini beans?

Both cannellini beans—also known as white kidney beans—and great northern beans are small- to medium-size white beans that are widely available in the U.S. in cans and dried. Both types of bean also originated and were cultivated in the area that is now South America and are part of the Phaseolus vulgaris species.

Are cannellini beans the same as white kidney beans?

White beans are one of the many varieties of common beans domesticated in North and South America. Several types exist, though the most common are cannellini beans, which are also called white kidney beans. Tender, with an earthy, nutty flavor, they make a great addition to soups, stews, chilis, and other dishes.

What is the common name for white beans?

What Are White Beans? White beans as a category includes navy beans, great northern beans, cannellini beans, baby lima beans, butter beans, garbanzo beans, pinto beans, etc. These are the most popular types of white beans (cooked white beans), however each type has its own unique peculiarities and features.