Boiled Green Beans

The recipe for boiled green beans is simple and lends itself to many variations, including some Italian touches that can add flavor to the dish. Here is how to proceed:

Ingredients

• Fresh green beans (as much as desired)
• Coarse salt (as needed)
• Water (enough to cover the green beans in a pot)

Preparation

1. To begin, clean the green beans by removing the ends and any lateral strings, if present.
2. Rinse the green beans under cold running water to remove any dirt or impurities.
3. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil, using about 1 teaspoon of coarse salt for every liter of water.
4. When the water is boiling, immerse the green beans and let them cook for about 5-10 minutes depending on their size and your preference for texture (some prefer green beans al dente, others softer).
5. To check for doneness, you can taste one: it should be tender yet still crisp.
6. Once cooked to your liking, drain them and, if you wish to stop the cooking immediately, run them under cold running water or plunge them into a bowl with water and ice for a few minutes.

For an Italian touch, when serving, you might dress the green beans with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and sprinkle them with a bit of grated lemon zest. Alternatively, you can briefly sauté them in a pan with garlic and a drizzle of oil to enhance their flavor.

Trivia

In Italy, it is traditional to enrich the simplicity of dishes like boiled green beans with quality condiments. Extra virgin olive oil is a fundamental ingredient in the Mediterranean diet and gives dishes a pleasantly fruity note.