Italian Heirloom Beans

Gigante-Beans
Gigante Beans
Call them Corona, Butter, Gigante or Italian Heirloom Beans

You may see these beans called Corona, Butter, Gigante or Italian Heirloom Beans—but they are likely a variety of the lima bean. Yes, the lima beans we know well–with an undeserving bad reputation!  These beans are delicacies in other parts of the world!

Lima beans are a good source of cholesterol-lowering fiber and excellent for blood glucose control. Mix beans with whole grain pasta and you have a complete protein meal fit for a king—just add some sautéed broccoli rabe for added greens!  Lima beans contain a trace mineral called molybdenum, which is responsible for detoxifying sulfites. Lima beans are good source of copper, manganese, folate, phosphorus, protein, potassium, vitamin B1, iron, magnesium, and vitamin B6.

Soak them in water overnight. Then cover the beans with fresh water or broth and simmer for an hour. Season after the beans are cooked.

Italian Heirloom Beans

Republic of Beans founder Chef Cesare Casella with Alma Gourmet presents a wide variety of specialty beans from Italy. The heirloom varieties offer the most discriminate palate a wonderful array of flavors and textures. Cesare Casella with Republic of Beans has always maintained a passion for introducing the beans’ simple and wholesome goodness to culinary and consumer minds, alike. Buon Appetito!