Food Encyclopedia

cranberry bean

Also called shell bean or shellout, and known as borlotti bean in Italy, the cranberry bean has a large, knobby beige pod splotched with red. The beans inside are cream-colored with red streaks and have a delicious nutlike flavor. Cranberry beans must be shelled before cooking. Heat diminishes their beautiful red color. They're available fresh in the summer and dried throughout the year. See also beans.