“Fava beans are really fun, bright little pops of spring,” Symons said. “You can use them if you’re making a springtime ...

This vegetable has many fans eagerly awaiting its season. It is one of the few pods that can be eaten "fresh" and provides a ...

Shell bean chili, made with fresh shelled beans in summer, takes much less time than winter chili made with dried beans. Chili made from dried beans is great for winter, when simmering it for a ...

It is available fresh or frozen, as well as in-shell or shelled. Edamame pods or beans can be boiled, steamed, microwaved or pan-seared (after they’ve been cooked). Because the shelled beans are ...

Snap beans, also called “green beans” or “string beans” are harvested when the pods contain immature seeds, and the pods are ...

You can also try soaking or sprouting soft-shelled legumes like mung beans, adzuki, chickpeas or lentils. “Soaking beans or sprouting beans makes them a little bit easier to digest,” Crumble ...

Edamame beans are often sold while still encased in their pods, which are not meant to be eaten. You can also buy shelled edamame, without the pods. In the United States, most edamame is sold frozen.

Note on the beans: Dried beans never have the finesse of freshly shelled beans, which are sometimes available in farmers markets. If fresh are unavailable, substitute one-half cup dried borlotti ...