WHITE OR PINK BEANS WITH BEET GREENS AND PARMESAN

White or Pink Beans With Beet Greens and Parmesan image

If you use white beans for this savory dish, the beet greens will infuse them with a lovely pink hue. Even more standout is the savory/umami flavor that the Parmesan rinds impart. Parmesan rinds will keep for months. Wrap them in foil and keep in the freezer. They add great depth of flavor to vegetarian soups and stews.

Provided by Martha Rose Shulman

Categories dinner, weekday, main course

Time 2h15m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

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Ingredients

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 large red onion, finely chopped
2 to 4 garlic cloves (to taste), minced
1/2 pound white or pink beans (1 1/8 cups), soaked in 1 quart water for 4 hours or overnight
6 cups water
A bouquet garni made with a bay leaf, a few sprigs each parsley and thyme, and 2 good-size Parmesan rinds
Salt to taste
1 generous bunch beet greens (about 3/4 pound), stemmed, washed well in 2 changes of water and coarsely chopped
Freshly ground pepper
Freshly grated Parmesan for serving

Steps:

Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large, heavy soup pot or Dutch oven and add the onion. Cook, stirring often, until the onion is tender, about 5 minutes, and add the garlic. Cook, stirring, until it is fragrant, 30 seconds to a minute. Drain the beans and add to the pot, along with 6 cups water (or enough to cover the beans by at least an inch) and the bouquet garni. Bring to a gentle boil, add salt to taste, cover and simmer 1 1/2 to 2 hours, until the beans are soft and fragrant. Taste, adjust salt, and add pepper. Remove the bouquet garni.
Stir in the beet greens and simmer 5 to 10 minutes. Serve in wide bowls and pass freshly grated Parmesan for sprinkling.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 101, UnsaturatedFat 6 grams, Carbohydrate 9 grams, Fat 7 grams, Fiber 4 grams, Protein 3 grams, SaturatedFat 1 gram, Sodium 1268 milligrams, Sugar 2 grams