Greek Butter Beans Recipe - Gigantes Plaki (Vegan) - Real Greek Recipes (2024)

FAQs

Are gigantes the same as butter beans? ›

Gigante beans are essentially large lima beans (also known as butter beans), but they are a little different from the varieties you'd find on the shelves in the US. And that's because they are grown in Greece, in the northwest of the country in regions like Prespes.

The Italians call them corona beans; the Greeks call them gigante beans. You'll also sometimes find them labeled as butter beans. They all, in fact, stem from the good ol' lima bean.

They're creamy an toothsome, with a mild flavor that easily takes on the ingredinets that the beans are served with (or marinated in!). I found my Gigante beans online, but many retailers offer them, although they may be called Greek Giant Beans, Borad Beans, or Greek Fava Beans.

Sow 2 inches deep in root trainers or a 9cm pot. Once all risk of frost has past, harden off the beans by placing outside during the day and bringing in at night or placing in a cold frame and lifting the lid during the day. Plant out after a week. They will need a trellis or other support up to two meters high.

Gigantes are not only filling but also super healthy: the beans are low in fat content and an excellent source of fiber (if you're looking to lower your cholesterol, these are for you!).

Gigantes are large white beans and can be substituted with large white lima beans if you can't find them. They literally translate to “giants”. This version of Gigantes Plaki is one that I've made many times. Generally they are baked but I really like quickly stewing them in an onion, tomato and dill sauce.

Gigantes plaki is a classic Greek dish of tender baked beans, swimming in a chunky tomato sauce with lots of good extra virgin olive oil. The term plaki, pronounced Plah-KEE, refers to a Greek cooking method where the food is baked or roasted with plenty of tomatoes, veggies, and extra virgin olive oil.

Definition. In Greek mythology, the Giants (Gigantes) are an aggressive race of creatures who were born from Gaia (the Earth) after drops of Uranus' blood fell on the Earth after he was castrated. The Giants had great strength and were fearsome to look upon, with long hair and scaly feet.

Butter beans are rich in vitamins and minerals, which are important for overall health. A source of potassium, magnesium, folate, iron, and zinc, they also contain calcium and protein. Both plant-based foodies and meat-lovers can really benefit from adding butter beans to their diet.

Navy (Pea) Beans

Because they get creamy when cooked, they're perfect for mashing against the side of the pot, pureeing in dips, and thickening soups, stews, ragouts, and more.

How to soften gigantes? ›

Begin by soaking the dried gigantes overnight in water to soften them. The more time you allow for soaking, the less time they will need to boil. The following day, drain and rinse the beans and boil in a pot of water for 30 minutes to 1 hour, depending on how long they were soaked beforehand.

A lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus), also commonly known as butter bean, sieva bean, double bean or Madagascar bean, is a legume grown for its edible seeds or beans.

Lima Beans. While they're all the same bean botanically, butter beans have different names depending on the region. In the South and in the United Kingdom, they're typically referred to as butter beans. Elsewhere in the U.S., they're known as lima beans (named for Lima, Peru, the bean's point of origin).

Well, rest assured; the two are actually one in the same. There's no difference between lima beans and butter beans, though sometimes they're sold at different stages of maturity.

Butter beans, or in Italian: Bianchi di Spagna, are a variety of lima bean known for their firm, buttery texture and robust nature.