Name: Vigna unguiculata – aka yard long bean or red noodle bean.
Type of Plant: This is a legume similar to a green bean although it is actually a related to the cowpea. It is known as the yardlong bean, bora, bodi, long-podded cowpea, asparagus bean, pea bean, snake bean, or Chinese long bean
Why I Love This: These vining cow peas produce very long beans that grow quite long in a couple of days. They not only stay thin and have a nutty flavor, but they also stay red after cooking so are beautiful in various dishes.
A Word to the Wise: This is a tropical plant, so they don’t really get growing until it gets hot. Expect this plant to sit and sulk in May and June, and to only begin to grow in July. Once they decide it’s warm enough, however, they grow and produce long beans very quickly from mid-August on until frost.
These have a mild flavor so are perfect for adding to any dish in any ethnic or seasoning direction.
