I picked what I think is considered a “mess of beans” the other day.From my own little backyard garden!I couldn’t believe our meager plot produced so many beans!I wanted to get a picture of them just picked and piled high in my basket, but the kids had borrowed my camera to go to the zoo. I had no idea I’d be at home wanting to take bean pictures (obviously I haven’t learned that a blogger needs her camera on hand at all times), so I let them take it and waited till they got home, by which time the beans looked like this:I prepared them the way my mama taught me, letting the beans cook a long time until they’re very tender and all the nutrients are probably drawn into the water.With all due respect to my mama (hi, Mom!), this would not be the healthiest way, but it’s the way her mama taught her, so I guess it’s a generational thing.And while they may not have been very healthy, they were very, very good. The yummiest mess I’ve dealt with lately!
Oh, how I love yellow beans. Messy or not.
The “juice” from the beans is called “pot likker” (liquor) and is doubtlessly full of nutrients, and true bean lovers savor it. Some old folks used to say they were raised on pot likker–which used to sound racy until I found out what they really meant!