Supplementary Information

  • Introduction

  • Nutritional Aspects of Pinto Beans

  • How to Grow Pinto Beans

    • Recipes

  • Bean and Beef Burgers

  • Chili Bean Casserole

  • Christmas Charros

  • Corn Bread Salad

  • Country Bean Bake

  • Crockpot Barbeque Pinto Beans

  • Frijoles

  • Kielbasa with Beans

  • Mexican Pinto Beans & Pork with Avocado

  • Mexican Pinto Beans with Spanish Rice

  • Pinto Bean Dip

  • Pinto Bean Pie

  • Pinto Beans with Beef and Tomatoes

  • Pinto Beans with Chiles

  • Pinto Beans with Ham

  • Prairie Fire Dip

  • Spanish Rice

  • Spicy Pinto Bean Burritos

  • Taco Soup

  • Texas Style Beans

    • Pinto Beans

    Recipes and Tips for using Pinto Beans

    What is a Pinto bean?

    The pinto bean (Spanish: frijol pinto, literally "spotted bean") is named for its mottled skin, hence it is a type of mottled bean. It is the most common bean in the United States and north-western Mexico, and is most often eaten whole in broth or mashed and refried. Either whole or mashed, it is a common filling for burritos. The young pods may also be used as green beans.

    In the southwest United States, the pinto bean is an important symbol of regional identity, especially among Mexican Americans. Along with the chilli, it is one of the official state vegetables of New Mexico (under the name frijol). The prepared beans are commonly known as frijoles. This type of bean is also referred to as "Cowboy Beans" in Texas, all along the Mexican border and wherever Mexican cowboys were employed. In areas where Mexican cowboys did not travel on the trails north from Texas, it was probably not known.

    This is the bean most commonly used for refried beans (fresh or canned) and in many dishes at Tex-Mex restaurants. Rice and pinto beans served with cornbread or corn tortillas are often a staple meal where there is limited money for meat; the amino acids in this combination make it a complete protein source. This variety is often used in chili con carne, although the kidney bean, black bean, and many others may also be used in other locales.

    In the south-eastern part of the United States, pinto beans were once a staple of the poor (usually eaten with cornbread, milk, and cabbage), especially during the winter months. Some churches in rural areas still sponsor "pinto bean suppers" for social gatherings and fund raisers.

    Pinto beans come from Peru originally and in the 15th century, made their way across the Atlantic to Europe. People around the world enjoy pinto beans today.


    The alubia pinta alavesa, or the "Alavese pinto bean", is a red variety of the pinto bean that originated in Anana, a town and municipality located in the province of Alava, in the Basque Country of northern Spain. In October, the Feria de la alubia pinta alavesa (Alavese pinto bean fair) is celebrated in Pobes. Pinto bean varieties include:

    Studies have indicated that pinto beans can help reduce cholesterol levels.

     

    Dry edible beans, or field beans, come in a wide variety of market classes, including kidney bean, navy bean, pinto bean and black bean. These beans, although differing in seed size and coloring, are all just different types of a single species, Phaseolus vulgaris L. Originally domesticated in Central and South America over 7,000 years ago, dry beans moved their way northward through Mexico and spread across most of the continental U.S. These beans were commonly grown with corn and sometimes squash. Now, instead of the Native American practice of planting dry beans and squash right among corn plants, a different bean, soybean from China, has found its place with corn. The other key difference, of course, is that our modern corn and soybean crops go primarily to feed livestock, instead of being strictly for human food like the old corn and dry bean system used for thousands of years. Season: available year-round

    How to select: Available canned and dried. Dried: Look for whole beans with no cracks and no evidence of moisture or insect damage. Canned: Look for beans that do not contain extra salt or additives.

    How to store: Store dried beans in an airtight container in a cool, dry dark place up to twelve months.

    How to prepare: refry, simmer

    Matches well with: bacon, beer, cheese, chiles, cilantro, garlic, onions, oregano, rice, tomatoes

    Substitutions: pinto bean = kidney beans = pink beans = red beans

    An ideal blend of proteins, low cholesterol fibres, carbohydrates, minimum fats, all essential minerals and vitamins in sufficient quantities make Pinto Beans a doctor's food. Not only this, the raw and mouth-watering taste makes it a hearty delight.

    Pinto beans are an excellent source of two important B vitamins--thiamine (vitamin B1) and pyridoxine (vitamin B6), and many beneficial minerals including molybdenum, iron, magnesium, manganese, potassium, selenium, and copper which helps our body to be healthy and fit.

    Pinto Beans are an exceptionally good choice for individuals with diabetes, insulin resistance or hypoglycaemia. Simply combine these beans with whole grains such as rice, and gorge on this virtually fat-free high quality protein diet.

    These beans with low cholesterol and fats level help maintaining the sugar levels of our body.

    Pinto Bean pod tea is very useful for dropsy, sciatica, chronic rheumatism, kidney and bladder problems, uric acid accumulations, and loss of albumin in the urine during pregnancy.

    Externally as well it promotes healing of ulcers and sores.

    Acne can be cured by prolonged usage of the decoction prepared from the beans.


    Bean meal can also be applied directly to the skin for moist eczema, eruptions, and itching. Wash the skin every 2-3 hours with German chamomile tea and apply new meal.

    Pinto Beans have a long history of strange beliefs attached to their growth. These beans demarcated life after death and are regarded as a firm fortune teller. They have been associated with future forecasts since times immemorial.

    One European myth suggested a classic way of finding the future. The people used to prepare three beans in different styles each style representing different outcome. It was then left on the person to find on the midsummer's night. If he found an untouched bean, he would be rich. The half peeled bean depicted comfortable life and the fully peeled bean through light on poverty stricken life. Now this went in an organized manner as whichever bean was found first led to what the future will be.

    Another popular legend throws light on how the well known mathematician Pythagoras was killed due to his blind belief about the beans. According to him, some souls while leaving their bodies attained the form of beans and that was the reason why he never ate beans. Now he had not the slightest idea that this belief will lead him to his mercilessly planned death. He was killed in a bean field which he refused to trample as he thought he would heart the souls hanging upon the bean vines there and gave his enemies a quick and easy chance to kill himself.

    In many countries in the Far East, bean flowers are scattered in accordance to tranquilize and appease demons. The beans are associated with death and dead spirits. Now if even one seed in a row comes up white instead of green, it is associated with death traditionally.

    Many people till date believe that scattering bean outside their house will safeguard them from ghosts and spirits for years to come.

    Romans have their own history of spiritual beliefs which includes beans as a remedy against evils. It is believed that the Roman emperors followed a ritual of spitting beans out of his mouth signifying the ousting of the evil spirits from his house.

    Thus beans were assessed to be a powerhouse of positive powers and life force of all living things which would deter against evil spirits.

    Pinto beans can replace the kidney beans in almost all chili recipes.

    Blend Pinto Beans with sage, oregano, garlic and black pepper for a delicious spread that can be used as a crudité dip or sandwich filling.

    Spread layer cooked pinto beans, chopped tomatoes and onions and shredded cheese on a tortilla. Broil in the oven until hot and cheese melts. Top up with chopped avocado and cilantro.

    Add pinto beans to vegetable soups. And make more nutritious and delicious.

    Pinto Beans are the most widely produced bean in the United States and is one of the most popular in the Americas.

    Dove Creek, Colorado is the Pinto Bean Capital of the world.

    Combine the creamy pink texture of pinto beans with a whole grain such as brown rice and you have a virtually fat-free high quality protein meal. Dried pinto beans are generally available in pre-packaged containers as well as bulk bins; both canned and dried pinto beans are available throughout the year.

    Pinto beans have a beige background strewn with reddish brown splashes of color. They are like little painted canvases, á la Jackson Pollack; hence their name "pinto," which in Spanish means "painted." When cooked, their colored splotches disappear, and they become a beautiful pink color.

    image of pinto beans

    See Also