Taylor's Horticultural (Borlotto) Bush Bean
I'm happy to offer this high-yielding, easy-to-grow heirloom bean. Ellen Bartholomew, who grows seed for us and food for her community at Ridgewood Ranch, calls this the easiest bean she grows. Dependable in the garden--even in maritime or short-season areas--and delicious in the kitchen.
These beans have multiple names, reflecting their long history. Bred by Native American peoples in the Northeast, English settlers called them Cranberry Beans. They traveled to Italy, where they are beloved as Borlotto beans. The "horticultural" name refers to their excellence as "shelly beans," shelled out of the yellowing pods when they are sized up but not hard and cooked for a late-summer treat. That use is called horticultural because you only get to eat them that way if you're a gardener--they aren't produced commercially.
Mild flavor makes them versatile in recipes. In Italy, borlotti are served with pasta or just by themselves with herbs and olive oil, but they adapt well to other cuisines, from refried to baked beans and even hummus. Beautiful red speckles and streaks on a cream to tan background. A great, versatile staple for the self-sufficient gardener.