French Green Beans

"French Green Beans" typically refers to the variety known as **Haricots Verts** (pronounced *ah-ree-koh VEHR*), which is French for "green beans." They are distinct from common green beans in a few key ways: ### Key Characteristics | Feature | French Green Beans (Haricots Verts) | Common Green Beans (Snap Beans) | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **Appearance** | Longer, much thinner, and more delicate. | Shorter and thicker. | | **Texture** | Very tender and supple; cooks quickly. | Firmer, sometimes with a tougher skin. | | **Flavor** | Delicate, often described as more intensely "grassy" or "beany." | Classic, more robust green bean flavor. | | **"Strings"** | Almost always "stringless." | Modern varieties are usually stringless, but older types may have a fibrous string. | | **Harvest** | Harvested at a younger, less mature stage. | Harvested when more fully developed. | ### Culinary Uses and Preparation Their delicate nature makes them a favorite in fine dining and for elegant side dishes. * **Quick Cooking:** Due to their slender shape, they cook much faster than regular green beans, making them ideal for quick recipes. * **Best Methods:** * **Blanching & Sautéing:** This is a classic method. Boil them in salted water for about 3-5 minutes (until crisp-tender), immediately plunge them into ice water to stop the cooking and preserve the bright green color, then briefly sauté them in butter or olive oil with shallots and garlic. * **Steaming:** A quick steam for about 3-5 minutes leaves them perfectly *al dente*. * **Classic Pairings:** They are often simply seasoned with salt, pepper, a touch of butter, or a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. They pair excellently with herbs like tarragon and thyme. ### Nutrition Like all green beans, *haricots verts* are highly nutritious: * **Low in Calories:** Very low in calories, fat, and cholesterol. * **High in Fiber:** A good source of dietary fiber, which aids in digestion. * **Vitamins and Minerals:** Rich in essential vitamins and minerals, particularly **Vitamin K** (important for bone health and blood clotting), **Vitamin C**, **Folate**, and **Vitamin A**.