Soup Beans

From EatingWell: October/November 2006 — Subscribe Now!

Like poor people everywhere, mountain people in the South thrived for centuries on food that was indigenous, inexpensive and healthful. These days "soup beans" speak instant comfort to anyone who had familial connections from Appalachia, where every garden produced shelling beans that could be eaten fresh or grown to maturity for dry beans. Serve this thick, stewlike soup with cornbread, pickle relish and diced sweet onion.

8 servings, 3/4 cup each

Active Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes

Nutrition Profile

Ingredients

1 pound pinto, yellow-eyed or other dried beans, sorted and rinsed (2 1/2 cups)
12 cups water
8 ounces finely diced ham, (about 1 1/2 cups)
1 medium onion, peeled
1 clove garlic, peeled
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper

Preparation

Place beans, water, ham, onion, garlic, salt, pepper and crushed red pepper in a large Dutch oven; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the beans are very tender and beginning to burst, 1 1/2 to 2 hours. If necessary, add an additional 1/2 to 1 cup water while simmering to keep the beans just submerged in cooking liquid.
Remove from the heat; discard the onion and garlic. Transfer 2 cups of the beans to a medium bowl and coarsely mash with a fork or potato masher. Return the mashed beans to the pot; stir to combine.

Tips & Notes

Make Ahead Tip: Cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Per serving: 244 calories; 2 g fat (1 g sat, 1 g mono); 16 mg cholesterol; 37 g carbohydrates; 19 g protein; 12 g fiber; 531 mg sodium; 702 mg potassium.

Nutrition Bonus: Folate (57% daily value), Potassium (20% dv), Iron (15% dv).

1 1/2 Carbohydrate Serving

Exchanges: 2 1/2 starch, 2 very lean meat