beans

[janebb]

I'm starting to think about what I am going to grow next year (already!) and wondered what sort of beans baked beans are. Can they be grown in this country?

[janebb]

[redimp]

I think they are haricot beans - no idea whether they will grow here or not but I thought chick peas wouldn't but they are on my list for next year.

[janebb]

I thought that too but then I read somewhere that "haricot" just means that the beans have been cooked after they have been dried but it does not refer to a variety of bean.  Have I got that wrong?I am so confused!!

[redimp]

From http://www.onelook.com/?w=haricot&ls=a

Quick definitions (haricot)

# noun:   a French variety of green bean plant bearing light-colored beans
# noun:   a French bean variety with light-colored seeds; usually dried

Looks like good news then as it is a type of frenchy.
Thinks it is a white flageolet.

See here for seeds: http://www.eseeds.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ExecMacro/eSeeds/searchrslt.d2w/report

Oh Oh, does not work - type haricot in the search box at the top.

[christine]

From my veggie book (Joy Larkcom) -

"French beans.... semi-mature pods are shelled and the young beans eaten as 'flageolets'.  Mature pods are shelled  and the beans used fresh or dried for winter use.  (Mature beans are often called 'haricots'.)"

I have a cookery book by Jane Grigson with a recipe for Boston Baked Beans - she says that you can use haricot beans for this, although Dutch brown beans or Navy beans would be better. 

Apparently Navy beans don't grow well in U.K.  But
J.L. recommends a variety of French bean called 'Dutch Brown' for drying.     You can get them from the HDRA catalogue.

[janebb]

Brilliant, thanks very much Christine.

Being a bit bloody minded I wouldn't mind giving dutch brown and navy beans a go next year.  Is there really no hope of navy beans succeeding here or is there an outside chance? I live near Southampton so am almost as far south as you can go.

Also,  do you know where I could get hold of some navy bean seed?

[christine]

Sorry, don't know where you can get Navy beans in this country - that's possibly why they don't do well here?!

How about trying another of J.L.'s recommendations (also available from HDRA) - 'Barlotta Lingua di Fuoco' (firetongue!) looks good, very decorative.

To find them quickly in the catalogue, put Climbing bean in front of that one, and Haricot bean in front of Dutch brown.

Let me know if you'd like the recipe......

[wardy]

The borlotti bean seems readily available here and I know that tinned baked beans in Turkey are borlotti beans (well, someone told me they were).  I get bottled Spanish white beans from the deli to put in soups and stews etc.  I know Spain is a bit hotter than here but you are in Southampton after all  ;D