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Sea Beans

Fruit

Description
Popeye may have loved his spinach but the seafaring vegetarian's culinary treasure is the tasty sea bean. A very curious emerald green vegetable, some have spiky green leaves that look like a cactus without needles. Some closely resemble Chinese long beans while others look somewhat like bird's feet. Whatever the appearance, this exceptional edible plant is deliciously crunchy and salty. Much like brined baby string beans, young sea beans are crisp-textured, deliciously deep-sea flavored and very seductive to the palate.

Grow Region
California Imported

Storage Temperature
Fresh sea beans are absolutely delicious tossed in salads and add their novel characteristic crunch. Blanched, refreshed and chilled, scrumptious sea beans can be combined with seafood, meat, poultry and vegetables for an interesting and unusual salad. Saut�, steam, bake, or toss in stir-fries the last few minutes. Stuff whole fish with sea beans and bake; discard the sea beans after baking. Rather appropriate, the perky sea bean makes a cute and perfect garnish for steamer clams and fish. Pair with compatible sun-dried tomatoes. Pickle to extend their goodness. Blend with basil, Parmesan cheese and pine nuts for a savory pesto. To prepare, trim little wiry roots from each one. Trim heavy bases if necessary. Cut into bite-sized twiglets. To store, spread in a shallow dish or plate; refrigerate. Sea beans do lose their culinary charm if kept more than a few days.

Availability

Seasons/Availability
Once considered a fleeting seasonal delicacy, Sea Beans are now available year round.

Nutritional Facts

Offering an excellent source of vitamin A and vitamin C, this healthy plant food is a good source of iron and calcium. Fat-free and cholesterol-free, sea beans contain no saturated fat. Eating five daily servings of fruits and vegetables lowers the chances of cancer. A recent study found that eating nine or ten daily servings of fruits and vegetables, combined with three servings of low-fat dairy products, were effective in lowering blood pressure.