Ingredients

  • 7 pounds fresh cranberry beans, shelled (about 7 cups), or 1 1/2 pounds dried beans (4 cups)
  • 1 small onion
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 3 thyme sprigs plus 1 teaspoon finely chopped
  • Salt
  • 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped flat-leaf parsley
  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped sage
  • 1 bunch of scallions, thinly sliced
  • Freshly ground pepper

Method

  • If using dried cranberry beans, cover them with water and let soak overnight; drain.
  • In a pot, cover the fresh or soaked dried beans with 2 inches of cold water and bring to a boil.
  • Skim the beans and add the onion, garlic, bay leaf and thyme sprigs, then simmer over moderate heat until the beans are just tender, about 40 minutes for fresh and 1 hour for dried.
  • Add 2 tablespoons of salt to the beans and cook for 5 minutes longer.
  • Drain the beans and discard the onion, garlic, thyme sprigs and bay leaf.
  • Stir in the olive oil, vinegar, parsley, sage, chopped thyme and sliced scallions.
  • Season with salt and pepper and serve.