Gigante Beans (2024)

FAQs

What can I substitute for gigante beans? ›

Gigantes are large white beans and can be substituted with large white lima beans if you can't find them. They literally translate to “giants”. This version of Gigantes Plaki is one that I've made many times. Generally they are baked but I really like quickly stewing them in an onion, tomato and dill sauce.

Gigantes are large white kidney-shaped beans, belonging to the species Phaseolus coccineus (multiflorus); scarlet runner beans also belong to this species.

Gigante beans are essentially large lima beans (also known as butter beans), but they are a little different from the varieties you'd find on the shelves in the US. And that's because they are grown in Greece, in the northwest of the country in regions like Prespes.

The Italians call them corona beans; the Greeks call them gigante beans.

They're creamy an toothsome, with a mild flavor that easily takes on the ingredinets that the beans are served with (or marinated in!). I found my Gigante beans online, but many retailers offer them, although they may be called Greek Giant Beans, Borad Beans, or Greek Fava Beans.

If your recipe calls for white beans, you can often use Cannellini Bean as an excellent substitute for Navy or Great beans. They are slightly larger, have a meaty texture, and have thicker skin. With nutty and early flavor work well in soups and cold salads.

Gigante beans are essentially very large butter beans, which are usually grown in northern Greece. They are delicious, creamy, and incredibly good for you.

Giant beans are really easy to grow and have the potental to reach a yard long, hence their nickname "yard-long beans." These giant beans originated in China and can often be found for sale in the produce department of Asian Supermarkets.

In conclusion, beans are a versatile and incredibly nutritious food that can benefit both your body and mind. Regular consumption of beans has been linked to a reduced risk of obesity, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer, while also aiding in controlling blood sugar levels and promoting digestive health.

The heaviest runner bean pod (Phaseolus coccineus) weighed 196 g (6.9 oz) and was grown by Derek Hulme (UK) as assessed at the CANNA UK National Giant Vegetables Championships, held at the Three Counties Showground in Malvern, Worcestershire, UK, on 23 September 2023.

What do Americans call butter beans? ›

Lima Beans. While they're all the same bean botanically, butter beans have different names depending on the region. In the South and in the United Kingdom, they're typically referred to as butter beans. Elsewhere in the U.S., they're known as lima beans (named for Lima, Peru, the bean's point of origin).

Butter beans (also know as lima beans) are similar to gigante beans in shape and texture, and can be excellent substitutions. I use them in this Cozy Gratin with Butter Beans and Roasted Tomatoes. You can pre-cooked butter beans in cans at many grocery stores, if you prefer not to cook dried beans from scratch.

Lima AKA Butter beans are probably the biggest bean you will find at the grocery store.

Cranberry beans are known for their creamy texture with a flavor similar to chestnuts. The red specks disappear when these beans are cooked. Cranberry beans are a favorite in northern Italy and Spain. Great Northern Beans are medium-size, oval-shaped beans with thin white skin.

The types of white beans are great northern beans, cannellini beans, navy beans, and lima beans. Despite the different varieties having slightly different flavors, textures, and sizes, they can be used interchangeably in recipes.

Cannellini and great northern beans are similar but they do have subtle differences in flavor and texture. That said, if it's 30 minutes until dinnertime and you're staring at a can of the "wrong" kind of beans in your pantry, rest assured that you can swap one for another.

Cranberry Beans are medium-size, oval-shaped beans with mottled tan and red skin. They are also called Roman beans. Cranberry beans are known for their creamy texture with a flavor similar to chestnuts. The red specks disappear when these beans are cooked.

White beans are broad category of beans that are… you guessed it… white. There are different types of white beans, which vary in size, texture, taste and cooking time. The most common types of white beans are: Navy Beans, Great Northern Beans, Cannellini Beans & Lima Beans.