There’s something romantic about Romano beans. Maybe it’s the history, being associated with Italy, or maybe it’s the fantasy of standing on a terrace with a platter of grapes and Parmigiano-Reggiano, overlooking a Tuscan vineyard.
Romano beans are typically grown to be eaten fresh, as a flat bean. If picked when tender, they snap and add sweetness to classic dishes like braised beans and cool, summer salads.
We decided not to harvest them fresh though. We wanted a sturdy white bean for soups and stews, so we left them on the vine this summer to dry. Now it’s time to harvest.
Romano beans turning yellow, but not dry enough to pick yet.
We grew Romano beans as part of our Three Sisters Garden this year. The beans overtook the corn almost immediately, demonstrating their hardiness and vigor. We knew it was going to be a good year.
When the beans finally dry out, they sound like a rattle when shaken. The pods show no sign of moisture. At this point, it’s best to snip or pull (carefully so as not to damage the vine) the pods off and store them in a single layer for another day or so to ensure they are completely dry.
Romano beans ready for shelling – for display purposes only. We dried them on a tray for 2-5 days.
Once completely dry, it’s as easy as twisting the pods. The pods crack and open, revealing beautiful white beans inside.
Romano bean pods hold between 6-10 white beans.
Once shelled, put the beans in a container (glass jars work well) and put them in the freezer for three days to kill off any critters that might be lying dormant in there. Then store them in a pantry or other location out of direct sunlight.
Part of this year’s harvest
Tuscan Bean Soup is definitely in our near future!
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Dear christy.
Im Sangkot from indonesia.
Here in Indonesia were also suitable to grow romano beans. But i’d like to know how much d production of it in one season/hectare.
Thanks
Hi Sangkot, I wish I could tell you, but we specialize in small-space biointensive gardening here (as in, less than 300 square feet). That said, I did find this (scroll to the bottom) that shows yield in bushels per acre. I hope this helps.
I love buying my mom plants — not flowers — as gifts. She has a gardenia that I’d given her 8 years ago. It’s now a huge, fragrant bush outside her kitchen door. When it’s in bloom, it fills her house with their fragrance. Every year I add to her little garden by sending her another plant via a florist. She’s got quite a nicely surrounded patio now!