Green is that magical bean...the green bean casserole of our mothers during the July 4th picnic...you know, the one with the mushroom soup and the crunchy onions on the top...green beans are one of America's favorite vegetable, canned, frozen or fresh...Green beans come originally from South America. They are the edible pod beans that have lots of vitamin A, and potassium, as well as a fair amount of vitamin C. They are low in calories, about 30 per cup of cooked snap beans. The most famous of the Green Beans are Kentucky Wonder and Blue Lake. Romano are a wider version of Green Beans. Many call these string beans after the string that ran along their sides...this string has been eliminated by the work of American botanists that set out to build a better eating bean. Most modern beans are now stringless. Choose slender, crisp, green beans that have a bright color and no blemishes or soft spots...avoid those with large swollen seed pods as these are more mature and woody and less flavorful.

Allow 1/4 lb. per person. Store Green beans in the refrigerator for no more than 4 days, unwashed in a plastic container or bag. Beans can be sauteed, steamed, boiled and microwaved. They are wonderful in stir fry dishes, and of course Mom's casserole.

Here are some good Green Bean sites:
http://www.texascooking.com/recipes/greenbeannewpot.htm

http://www.rdchristmas.com/html/recipes/greenbeans.htm

here is a site loaded with recipes:

http://www.vegweb.com/food/vegetables/index-vegetables-greenbeans.shtml