PASTA WITH SHELL BEANS AND TOMATOES

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Pasta With Shell Beans and Tomatoes image

Many cooks find working with fresh shell beans, so smooth and cool in your hands, to be unexpectedly satisfying. The pods may be tough, but the beans inside are tender and ready to cook, and they need not be skinned after removal from the pods. Once shelled, fresh beans require just 40 to 45 minutes of simmering. And in terms of nutrition, they have everything dried beans have to offer: lots of protein and fiber, calcium, iron, folic acid and potassium.At my local farmers' market, I've found large scarlet runner beans (they really are more purple than red, and some farmers call them purple runners); mottled pink-and-white cranberry beans (also known as borlotti, they come in the most beautiful pink pods); creamy, pale yellow cannelinis; and similar bean with pink markings called yellow Indian woman beans. Many are heirloom varieties and each is a little different, but they all have creamy textures and a wonderful fresh flavor. This is a very comforting pasta. I like to use large shells or tubes, which catch the beans and sauce.

Provided by Martha Rose Shulman

Categories     dinner, weekday, pastas, main course

Time 1h20m

Yield Serves four

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 to 1 1/4 pounds shell beans (about 1 3/4 to 2 cups)
1 small onion, halved
7 cups water
4 large garlic cloves, 2 crushed, 2 minced
A bouquet garni made with a few sprigs each of parsley and thyme, a sprig of sage, a Parmesan rind and a bay leaf
Salt to taste
2 pounds tomatoes
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Pinch of sugar
1 large basil sprig, plus a handful of fresh basil leaves, slivered
3/4 pound pasta, preferably large shells or tubes, or bow ties
Freshly grated Parmesan for serving

Steps:

  • Combine the beans, onion, water, the crushed garlic cloves, bouquet garni and salt to taste in a heavy saucepan or soup pot, and bring to a simmer. Cover and simmer 45 minutes, or until the beans are tender. Taste and adjust salt. Remove and discard the onion, the bouquet garni and the garlic cloves. Drain though a colander set over a bowl.
  • While the beans are cooking, bring a large pot of water to a boil and drop in the tomatoes. Blanch for 30 seconds, then transfer to a bowl of cold water. Drain, core and peel. Cut the tomatoes in half. Place a strainer over a bowl, and squeeze the seeds out of the tomatoes into the strainer. Press the seed pods against the strainer to extract as much juice as you can, and then discard the seeds. Chop the tomatoes.
  • Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy nonstick skillet over medium heat, and add the minced garlic. Cook, stirring until fragrant, about 30 seconds, and add the tomatoes, sugar, the basil sprig and salt to taste. Cook, stirring often, until the tomatoes have cooked down to a thick sauce and smell fragrant, about 15 to 20 minutes. Taste and adjust salt. Stir in 1/2 cup of the bean broth and mix together. Stir in the beans. Keep warm while you cook the pasta.
  • Bring the water back to a boil, salt generously and add the pasta. Cook al dente, until firm to the bite, following the timing instructions on the package. (Check the pasta a minute or two before the end of the suggested cooking time.) Drain the pasta and toss with the beans, tomatoes, and slivered basil. Serve with Parmesan on the side.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 468, UnsaturatedFat 7 grams, Carbohydrate 82 grams, Fat 9 grams, Fiber 8 grams, Protein 17 grams, SaturatedFat 1 gram, Sodium 1885 milligrams, Sugar 9 grams

Zohaib 2.O
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This pasta dish is a great way to use up leftover chicken. The chicken, beans, and tomatoes make this a hearty and filling meal. The herbs and spices add a lot of flavor. I also like to add a bit of crumbled feta cheese to the dish for extra flavor.


Gohar Jan
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This pasta dish is a great way to get your kids to eat their vegetables. The beans, tomatoes, and spinach are all hidden in the sauce. The pasta and cheese make the dish kid-friendly. I also like to add a bit of crumbled bacon to the dish for extra f


Mulota Maxwell
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This pasta dish is a great way to use up leftover beans. I used black beans, but you could use any type of bean you like. The tomatoes, onions, and peppers add a lot of flavor. I also like to add a bit of chili powder to the dish for extra spice.


Baeli Barnes
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This pasta dish is a great way to use up leftover pasta. I used spaghetti noodles, but you could use any type of pasta you like. The beans, tomatoes, and herbs add a lot of flavor. I also like to add a bit of grated Parmesan cheese to the dish for ex


Stephen mukang
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This pasta dish is a great way to get your daily dose of vegetables. The tomatoes, zucchini, and spinach are all packed with nutrients. The beans and pasta add a boost of protein and fiber. I served the dish with a side of whole-wheat bread.


Zara Sukhera
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I'm a vegetarian and I love this dish. The beans are a great source of protein and the tomatoes and herbs add a lot of flavor. I also like to add a bit of crumbled tofu to the dish for extra protein.


Gift gold
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This pasta dish is a great way to use up leftover chicken. I used a rotisserie chicken, which made the dish even easier to make. The beans, tomatoes, and herbs added a lot of flavor. I served the dish with a side of roasted vegetables.


Angelina Ambrose
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I've made this dish several times and it's always a hit. It's so easy to make and always turns out delicious. I love the combination of the beans, tomatoes, and herbs. I also like to add a bit of crumbled sausage to the dish for extra flavor.


Motive Beatz
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This pasta dish is a great way to get your kids to eat their beans. My kids loved the creamy texture of the beans and the sweet flavor of the tomatoes. I also liked that this dish is relatively healthy. I will definitely be making this dish again for


Nomi Qureshi
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I made this dish for a potluck and it was a huge success! Everyone loved it. The beans were creamy and flavorful, and the tomatoes were perfectly sweet and tangy. The herbs and spices added a nice depth of flavor. I will definitely be making this dis


I Owais
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This dish was a great way to use up some leftover beans. I used canned beans, which made the dish even easier to make. The tomatoes and herbs added a lot of flavor. I served the dish with a side of crusty bread to soak up the sauce.


The Neko Hunter Of Shadows
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This pasta dish was a bit bland for my taste. I think it needed more salt and pepper. I also would have liked to see more vegetables in the dish. Overall, it was a decent meal, but I wouldn't make it again.


AH RANA
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I'm not a huge fan of beans, but I really enjoyed this dish. The beans were cooked perfectly and had a great texture. The tomatoes and herbs added a lot of flavor. I would definitely make this dish again.


Asif Gondal
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This is one of my favorite pasta dishes. It's so easy to make and always turns out delicious. I love the creamy texture of the beans and the bright flavor of the tomatoes. I also like to add a bit of crumbled feta cheese on top for extra flavor.


Reel Noel
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I made this pasta dish last night and it was a hit with my family! The beans were creamy and flavorful, and the tomatoes were perfectly sweet and tangy. The herbs and spices added a nice depth of flavor. I will definitely be making this dish again.


Akash Matubber
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This pasta dish is a delightful combination of flavors and textures. The shell beans add a nutty flavor and a creamy texture, while the tomatoes provide a bright acidity. The herbs and spices add a touch of warmth and complexity. Overall, this is a d