Of Asturian fabes beans and morons

[javadog]

I am fond of making a cassoulet in winter so, when I was looking through a new-to-me Spanish cookbook, I looked at the recipe for fabada, which is the Spanish equivalent. The bean in fabada is the fabes bean, so I checked my usual expensive bean supplier, Rancho Gordo. No joy.

I engaged a search engine to see where I might source a supply and the first entry that wasn't some other f'ing beaan entirely (why, do they pay to do this?) was on Amazon. One kilo of dried beans, $22.64.

Amazon apparently has their own AI equivalent to SIRI, or whatever, so buyers can ask really stupid questions and get answers. Ask Rufus, they call it.

First question in the pre-populated FAQ was, and I quote, "Are they pre-soaked or do they need soaking?" If that isn't the dumbest question ever asked about a package of dried beans, I don't know what to say. Other than we've apparently raised generations of absolute morons in this country.

Well, Rufus responded (yes, I just had to click on the question to see the answer) by noting:

"I did not find any information about whether the beans need soaking or come pre-soaked. However, customers recommend rinsing and soaking the beans overnight before cooking them."

SO, we also have AI that is as stupid as the public. Well done, whoever created that.

Beans in question, to understand the issue:

[javadog]

To add further insult, the bean shown isn't even the correct one. It comes from Leon, which is not Asturias, and the same company markets the correct bean, from Asturias under a different house brand name.

A cassoulet is ALL about the correct bean, so I assume the same thing about fabada. 'Close enough" is not for me. Even if I have to spend 20 bucks for 2 dollars worth of beans. What a country we live in. This is peasant food in Spain...

[stevej37]

I've never heard of them...thought you meant Fava Beans when I read the title.

[Evans, Marv]

Let us know how it turns out. I love all spanish food, though it may have changed since I was here last. I have a cook book with the title "la Concina Practica" por Picadillo. Original spanish recipes in spanish. Entertaining reading too.

[javadog]

Thus far, I haven't found a reliable source for the beans. The brand pictured above has gotten bad (quality) reviews from people that know a fabes bean from an imitator from Leon, so I have looked elsewhere. I can find the real deal, certified even, for the princely sum of something like $75/kilo.

That's not far short of cocaine money and I'll not spend that on a few bucks of beans. Stupido, I am not.

The search continues but I may just settle for another cassoulet and enough cash leftover to buy a nice bottle of wine.

[javadog]

Originally Posted by stevej37

I've never heard of them...thought you meant Fava Beans when I read the title.

When fava beans come into season, buy some fresh ones. Good stuff, seldom eaten by Americanos.

[pwd72s]

Maybe a seed source, then do a bit of gardening?

[javadog]

Originally Posted by pwd72s

Maybe a seed source, then do a bit of gardening?

I'm temporarily squatting at my sister's house, doing some free renovation work for her, then headed back to Dallas, to an apartment in a high rise tower. So, not practical for the current situation.

I need a hook-up in España.

[stevej37]

Originally Posted by javadog

When fava beans come into season, buy some fresh ones. Good stuff, seldom eaten by Americanos.

I'll look for them. I like most any beans....except one. Lima beans.
My folks planted Lima beans every year and I picked and shucked them. Besides that, my Mother didn't want them picked until they were huge...and mealy. The young tender ones were edible, but I couldn't eat the large ones.

[javadog]

Originally Posted by stevej37

I'll look for them. I like most any beans....except one. Lima beans.
My folks planted Lima beans every year and I picked and shucked them. Besides that, my Mother didn't want them picked until they were huge...and mealy. The young tender ones were edible, but I couldn't eat the large ones.

Lots of things are better young/small. Peas, for one.

Favas are probably available now, in California. Next two months, for most of us. Buy a bunch, the final yield is poor compared to the pre-shucked pile.

[flatbutt]

Take out the beans and add a ton of jalapenos and cassoulet could be a French chili.

[Bill Douglas]

Originally Posted by stevej37

I've never heard of them...thought you meant Fava Beans when I read the title.

Me too. I didn't have my glasses on and were a little concerned.

[javadog]

Originally Posted by flatbutt

Take out the beans and add a ton of jalapenos and cassoulet could be a French chili.

If my grandmother had had wheels, she could have been a bicycle.

You want chili, go back in time 150 years to northern Mexico. They got the chili.

[Alan A]

Fabada is always made with white beans, called fabes in Asturian. The bean variety “faba de Asturias” is a white kidney bean. Here in Valencia we find similar beans called alubia blanca, while in the US a good substitution would be cannelloni beans.

From here…

https://juliaeats.com/2017/04/02/fabada-asturiana/#:~:text=Fabada%20is%20always%20made%20with,substi tution%20would%20be%20cannelloni%20beans.

I’ve made it with cannelloni beans myself. Couldn’t get morcilla so just used extra chorizo. Tasted just fine… authentic - no. Edible - o yes.

[ltusler]

You mean a hotdish?

[Evans, Marv]

I get chorizo, moricilla, etc. from "La Espanola Meats, Inc.." They even have an Austaurian Fabada Stew Kit that includes chorizo, blood sausage, bacon, & ham($28.50). It doesn't look like it includes the beans though. They do sell Asturian faba beans separately.

[javadog]

Yeah, they do sell them. It's a half kilo package that seems to be the most common brand available from the sources I've found. About $23 per bag. You have to wonder when the beans are more expensive than the meats that are used in the dish. Surely, the beans are cheap when they buy them in Asturias, no?

They have a good selection of sausages. You like the domestic made versions as well as some of the imports?

[Otter74]

I am pretty sure that you can get alubias blancas from Rancho Gordo. I recall getting them from them some years ago.

[javadog]

Originally Posted by Otter74

I am pretty sure that you can get alubias blancas from Rancho Gordo. I recall getting them from them some years ago.

That's my go to supplier for tarbais beans and the like but I searched their site for "fabes beans" and came up with a big fat zero. I'll look again, in case they call them something else.

[javadog]

I checked again, no joy. The alubias blancas is a different variety.