An Test was Re: SC - Truck Crops
LrdRas at aol.com
LrdRas at aol.com
Mon May 8 06:00:53 PDT 2000
In a message dated 5/7/00 8:40:20 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
TerryD at Health.State.OK.US writes:
<< The term appears in
Roman writings after the beginning of major trade with Africa which
increases the probability that they were writing about some form of the
black-eyed pea.
>>
Possibly but, as I have stated before, I think this is likely. I have been
pondering the kidney bean question for over 2 years and I am firmly convinced
that the 'kidney' bean as referenced in pre-New World writings is 'Vigna
unguiculata sesquipedalis', a member of the cowpea family.
There is at least one picture in a book of illumination examples that I have
that clearly shows this bean. Taking the leap, I planted the yard-long beans
summer before last and a friend took a photo of a stem segment containing
leaves and beans. When this was laid newt to the illumination there was
absolutely no difference between it and the illustration. When the beans were
allowed to mature on the vine, the resulting dried beans found inside the
crackly pod looked exactly like miniature kidney beans in color and form.
When used in a period recipe that called for these beans the resulting dish
was very tasty.
I am also fairly convinced that in some instances 'green beans' were actually
the tender young pods of these yard-long beans. I know that neither
illuminations nor actual experience are a basis for saying that period kidney
and green beans were, in fact, yard long beans (V. unguiculata sesquipedalis)
but it certainly makes a convincing case given the lack of written records
and fits the few descriptions that we do have.
Ras
More information about the Sca-cooks
mailing list