From Humble Italian Tradition to Fulfilling, Heart-Healthy
Addition Boasting a long list of health benefits, beans are a
great option for warmer weather dishes, like salads and spreads,
as well as a hearty addition to winter preparations, often
taking the place of meat all together. In this article, we bring
you recipes, ideas and a brief history on the little legume with
a BIG presence. By: Meghan Tutolo Whether featured in bright,
summer salads or hearty, cold-weather soups, beans are an
important part of Mediterranean cuisine. Modest in their roots,
legumes have supplemented Italian meals as economical, protein-
rich substitutes for meat for centuries. These days, they are
honored for their widespread health benefits. Loosely translated
as “humble food,” cucina povera is made up of simple
cuisine—grains and produce—yet contain some of the highest
nutritional goals set by modern-day dieticians. No wonder the
“Mediterranean Diet” is such a hit with food lovers all over the
world! In Italy, beans are used in p