Many may remember some of the interesting vegetables we grew last summer and how we toured the garden via the blog spotlighting on those that were unique with our posts. It was such a nice way to learn about some extraordinary performers and I thought it might be nice to add to our list.
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Chinese Red Noodle Beans
grown by
Vann Gaskin of Bed 33 |
Our first addition is rich in history and comes to us from southern China! Vann, of Bed 33, not only has the healthiest looking bean plants in the garden but some of the most beautiful to stroll by and take a gander. Chinese Red Noodle beans are an heirloom variety that is very common to the southern regions of China. It first came to the America's via Chinese immigrants who were here working on the transcontinental railroads during the 1800's.
Heat tolerant and vigorous are just two of many attributes that come to mind when describing this wonderful pole bean variety. On observation, it seems as if to take its time setting pods but the wait appears to be well worth the time spent. Once it gets started, the plants are continuously producing pods of the highest quality, which would earn it the rank of an outstanding performer in any gardener's journal. As an added bonus, this cultivar is highly resistant to the Mexican bean beetle that tends to plague our community garden each year. To date, the plants have not required the need for a fungicide or pesticide treatment to remain healthy.
The distinctive purple-red color brings such plate appeal for something unique in the kitchen as the beans will lose their color when cooked but retain it when sauteed or stir-fried. They can also be used in any dish that calls for string beans and according to what I have read they lend a wonderful almost nutty flavor to most soups. For the peak of flavor, it is best to pick the pods before they reach twenty-two inches in length. Longer lengths will still be edible, however, the flavor tends to fall off and the beans will not be as tender.
In sampling, I stir-fried with freshly pulled garlic and peanut oil and served with some toasted sesame seeds. The flavor was mild and pleasant with the slightest hint of a mushroom taste. Although others who have tried say the beans are delicious, they do not taste the hint of mushroom within the flavor. So I guess that boils down to having sensitive taste buds, maybe the garlic variety chosen for the dish (grown with the addition of mushroom compost), or being completely off my rocker, you be the judge, grin!
Several years ago, the Chinese Red Noodle beans as well as several other distinctive varieties were part of a trial performed by the Master Gardener's in Santa Clara County. Chinese Red Noodle performed very well in the trial and was a favorite for those desiring a rich bean flavor. The link is below for your convenience as several of the varieties trialed would be worthy of growing within our garden.
https://mastergardeners.org/long-bean-trial-2007 - link to the long bean trial performed by Master Gardeners
Green Meadows Healthy Garden Tip:
Choosing varieties that offer resistance to the common diseases and pests issues we face goes a long way in lessening your dependence on the use of fungicides and pesticides. Chinese Red Noodle beans are a perfect example of an heirloom variety having a natural resistance to the Mexican bean beetle. Many of the yard-long beans offer the same tolerance or resistance to these terrible pests. It's just a matter of choosing your varieties carefully and making their environment conducive for the plants to do well. Vann has showed us a perfect example of tilting the odds in her favor for a healthy and productive garden by using carefully chosen cultivars. Kudo's Vann! If there were a bean award, we would need to give you "Best in Show!"
For those who may be interested in trying their hand at growing these wonderful beans the links are below for your convenience to a couple excellent seed companies that carry them. In addition, I have also placed the link to the other "Spotlight on Something Unique" articles that show standout performers within the garden.
https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=968409830075347530#allposts - key in spotlight on something unique in the search bar located in the upper right-hand corner
Happy Gardening,
Denise, Beds 25 & 29
