i Lead Recipes

The runner bean is often called the scarlet runner bean because many strains have red flowers and multicolored seeds. The green pods are edible whole and are usually served sliced. They make delicious eating. The seeds can be used fresh or as dried beans. The starchy roots are still eaten by some Central American Indians. This is an extremely popular vegetable in the United Kingdom and some parts of North America, but is only occasionally found in South Africa, where it is very under-rated. Runner beans contain traces of a poisonous lectin and so must be thoroughly cooked before eating.

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