Organic Heirloom Red Cargamanto Bean Seeds

Organic Heirloom Red Cargamanto Bean Seeds (15)
(Cranberry Beans, Roman Beans, Borlotti Bean, Saluggia Bean, Rosecoco bean, Gadhra Bean)

These were first bred in Colombia as cargamanto beans and have since been widely adopted and cultivated in Italy. They are also referred to as borlotti beans, Roman beans, saluggia beans, and rosecoco beans. These have become common in Mediterranean cuisine, and while they look sort of like pink pinto beans before cooking (and basically like pinto beans after cooking, when they lose their pinkish hue), they differ in flavor, being a little lighter and nuttier than pinto beans.

The borlotti bean is a variety of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) first bred in Colombia as the cargamanto. It is also known as the cranberry bean, Roman bean, romano bean (not to be confused with the Italian flat bean, a green bean also called "romano bean"), saluggia bean, gadhra bean or rosecoco bean. The bean is a medium to large tan or hazelnut-colored bean splashed or streaked with red, magenta or black.
Saluggia beans are named after Saluggia in northern Italy, where they have been grown since the early 1900s.

Searching for a different bean variety? The cranberry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) has long been used in Italian cuisine, but has more recently been introduced to the North American palate. As it is a difficult bean varietal to procure, if you’re growing cranberry beans, it is a great idea to save a few pods for next year’s garden. What are Cranberry Beans? The cranberry bean, also known as the Borlotti bean in Italy, is fairly difficult to find unless your community has a large Italian population or farmer’s markets. Cranberry beans are usually found in the mass market as packaged and dried unless one encounters them in the independent local farmer’s market where they can be seen fresh with their beautiful coloration. More widely known as shell beans, the cranberry bean is unrelated to a cranberry plant, and in fact, most closely resembles the pinto bean, although the flavor is dissimilar.

The exterior of the cranberry bean is a mottled cranberry hue, hence its common name, and the interior beans are a creamy color. Just as with all beans, the cranberry bean is low in calories, high in fiber, and a fabulous source of vegetable protein. Unfortunately, when the bean is cooked, it loses its lovely color and becomes a drab brown. Fresh cranberry beans are reported to taste akin to a chestnut. How to Grow Cranberry Beans Cranberry beans are an easy to grow plant. Neither pole nor bush beans, the cranberry bean grows on a stalk, which can attain a height of up to 6 feet. Due to this great height, the cranberry bean needs to be staked and grows well planted in a large container, such as a half barrel or even a 1-gallon pot. Growing cranberry beans can also be planted against a traditional trellis support or a tepee-shaped support can be created, against which several plants can be grown.

However you decide to grow and stake your cranberry beans, remember they prefer a warmer climate than most bean varieties and definitely dislike frost. Soil temperature for cranberry beans should be at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit or more. Select an area with well drained soil and a pH of 5.8 to 7.0 or amend the soil to reflect the requirements. Growing Cranberry Beans from Seeds Cranberry bean plants can be started from either dried seeds or from fresh picked pods. To start from dried seeds, soak some quality potting soil with water until the consistency of mud, poke in a few dried cranberry bean seeds and allow to dry slightly. Transfer the still moist soil and seed combination into smaller pots, cover with plastic wrap and place in a warm area to germinate.

To start cranberry bean plants from fresh picked pods, squeeze the bean pod gently to split and remove seeds. Lay the seeds out on paper towels or the like and air dry for about 48 hours. Fill planting pots with seed starting medium and place them in a pan of water with the liquid reaching to the halfway mark on the pot sides. Leave in the water bath for about an hour or until the soil surface is wet. Germination of your cranberry bean seeds will occur in about a week in warm conditions. Cooking Cranberry Beans This super nutritious bean variety is also super versatile in the kitchen. The cranberry bean can be pan fried, boiled and, of course, made into soup. To pan fry the cranberry bean, simmer in water for 10 minutes, dry off on a towel and then sauté in a hot pan with a little olive oil. Cook until outer skins have crisped, season lightly with salt or seasoning of your choice and you will have a crunchy healthy snack.