Romano Beans with Summer Squash (with tomatoes & olives)

This simple sauté of Romano beans with summer squash (aka yellow squash) might convince you that this variety of Italian green beans is even better than the more common type. Olives and summer tomatoes add a pop of flavor to each bite.

Romano beans had been off my culinary radar until recently, especially since I’ve never seen them at the places I usually shop for produce. That changed when a friend started growing them in his garden, where they multiplied prolifically. And my discovery of them is thanks to his surplus. 

About Romano beans

As you can see from the photos, it’s kind of flat, with the beans encased in a slightly fuzzy shell. Both the tip and the tail should be trimmed, and thankfully, they don’t have strings to deal with.

Romano beans are also called Italian pole beans and are considered a kind of snap bean. Their true season is mid-summer through early fall. You can replace ordinary green beans with them in any kind of recipe, hot or cold.

Image: SpecialtyProduce.com

Make sure to choose young and tender Romano beans: Once my friend turned me on to them, I made the mistake of buying some rather large and gnarly Romano beans at a farm market. Wow, what a difference — once they were cooked tender enough to eat, they had lost all their color and flavor.

So make sure to use smaller, young Romano beans. They’ll feel tender to your touch, even before cooking — and cooking can be kept to a minimum, just until they’re bright green and tender crisp.

You may also enjoy Romano Beans with Tomatoes and Cannellini.

And now, for this recipe: Cooked in a little olive oil and embellished with fresh tomatoes, black olives, and chile peppers, this is a great summer side dish that comes together quickly. I used shishito peppers, also courtesy of my gardening friend, but jalapeño or any other hot chili pepper (or even dried hot red pepper flakes) will do.

For a modest amount that comes together quickly, follow the amounts given in the recipe; if you have a bumper crop of any of these veggies, it can be doubled easily.

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Yield: 4

Romano Beans with Summer Squash

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 This simple sauté of Romano beans with summer squash is a great summer side dish.

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Total Time 25 minutes

Ingredients

• 8 to 10 ounces Romano beans
• 1 medium yellow summer squash, quartered lengthwise and sliced
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 to 2 small hot chili peppers, seeded and minced
• 1/3 cup chopped briny black olives
• 2 to 3 medium ripe tomatoes, diced
• Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Trim the tips and tails from the Romano beans and cut (or snap) longer ones in half. Combine with the squash in a medium sauce pan and a little water.
2. Cover and steam the beans and squash briefly, just until both are not quite tender-crisp. 
3. Drain off the water, then drizzle in the oil. Add the chiles, olives, and tomatoes. Turn up and sauté for 2 minutes or so, stirring often, just until everything is nicely warmed. 
4. Season with salt and pepper and serve at once.

Notes

If you can't find Romano beans, tender summer green beans work well as a substitute.

See lots more easy, vegetable-filled salads & sides.