Asparagus Beans in the Garden and Stir-Fry

You will find these beans in the Asian vegetable category of seed catalogs and in supermarkets, if they have them. Some of my seed catalogs did not offer them for sale in 2009, but I did find them listed in Burpee's. Organic seed companies are a likely place to find the seeds, or a seed exchange or heirloom seed garden catalog. They are heirloom seeds, open-pollinated and non-hybrid, so you can grow them in your garden, then save your own seeds for the following year.

Asparagus beans, or Yard-Long beans, are very easy to grow. They are pole beans and must be grown on stakes or a trellis. Wait until the soil temperature has warmed up in the spring to at least 65 degrees before you plant these, or the seed will rot in the ground. The plants are like any other pole green bean, and need the same care. Provide sturdy support. The vines will grow quite long, and will double back when they reach the top.

The blossoms are lovely, pinkish-lavender colored flowers (see second picture). They are larger than most bean blossoms, larger than a quarter. They make a very pretty addition to the garden, and you will like them for the flowers alone. Even more, you'll like the bean pods that follow. Once the bean pods begin to grow, they will grow very quickly. One day, you'll see a small, dark purplish string of a pod, and a few days later it will be 12 - 18 inches long. That's the best size to pick these beans for eating. Usually there will be two long beans growing from one blossom point. They should be slender, about as big around as a regular pencil. If they get much larger than that, let them go for seeds.

If you want to save your seeds for next year, allow a few of the mature pods to remain on the vine until they are dry. The vines will usually stop producing new blooms when you don't keep the pods picked, so do this late in the summer or on a few plants you have raised especially for this purpose.

Cook your Yard Long beans as you would any other green bean. They really do have a mild asparagus-like flavor. They are great steamed or sautéed. We like them stir-fried with a little garlic, similar to the beans you see in Chinese restaurants, or added to a stir-fry medley. I blanch and freeze them the same way I do any other green bean. Their superb taste and easy growing habits have made them one of my favorite beans.

Easy Stir-Fry Asparagus Beans

A handful of Asparagus Beans, trimmed to shorter lengths
2-3 cloves garlic, crushed or minced
Olive, peanut, or sesame oil
salt to taste
touch of soy sauce, if desired

Heat a wok or large iron skillet to medium high. Add about 2 Tablespoons oil, then stir in crushed garlic. Stir for about a minute. Add beans to hot garlic and oil. Keep stirring beans for 2-3 minutes, and they're done. They should be tender-crisp. Serve immediately.

Add summer squash, peppers, onions, or other vegetables for a great medley.