Dried Beans, Pole 'Oldambster Witte' / 'Oldamster Witte'

A very old, historic, Dutch, Groningen breed bean, loved for its fine white beans. They are climbing beans (pole beans), which means: no bending over when picking and a large harvest. We can only buy a small amount each year, so be quick!

Our grower Pedro Lutje (who introduced the variety to us in 2009) told the following wonderful story: I bought the beans around 1970 at an agricultural show in Warffum. An old man drew my attention to them; he told me about this ‘Oldambster Witte’ (pronounced: ol-dambster). 

Leave the green pods to dry on the plant until they are white. Then they can be shelled, dried thoroughly, kept in the freezer for a week (to prevent the bean weevil eggs from hatching), and then stored in a cool place. In Groningen, they are a delicacy and are traditionally eaten on New Year’s Day, and then throughout the rest of the winter. (Comment: Funny, we also come across this tradition in the US with Cow Peas, another type of dry bean).

We prepare these “Grunninger Dreuge Boon” as follows: put them in the pot on New Year’s Eve, rinse them briefly in the morning, and by 11:00 a.m. put them on a low heat with a piece of bacon, fresh sausage, and a dry bink (salted pork leg). Without the dry bink, you must add some salt; with a floury potato, it is a king’s feast!

Names:

• Latin: Phaseolus vulgaris
• Dutch: Dry beans, Pole beans 'Oldambster Witte' / 'Oldamster Witte'
• Also known as: Dry beans
• English: Dry Shelling Beans