Green beans

Green beans

　　Green beans, also known as red beans in Zhaotong City, belong to the kidney bean category. They are annual herbaceous plants with either vining or upright stems, bearing yellow or pale-colored flowers. Their pods contain several oval-shaped seeds. They have been cultivated in the region for many years. Green beans are widely distributed across all arable lands in the area and are generally intercropped or relay-cropped with corn or potatoes, with an average annual yield of around 10 million kilograms. Red beans are highly nutritious, containing protein, various vitamins, and trace elements such as calcium, phosphorus, and iron. They are one of the main vegetables consumed by urban and rural residents in the Zhaotong area, especially in the rural regions of Zhenxiong, Yiliang, and Weixin counties, where they are commonly used to make “Red Bean Pickle Soup.” This dish is not only a distinctive feature of rural life in the region but also holds emotional significance for many overseas Chinese. Currently, Zhenxiong and Yiliang natives residing in places like Taiwan and Hong Kong often feel a strong sense of homesickness when thinking about “Red Bean Pickle Soup,” and their letters back home frequently express such sentiments. In addition, in Zhaotong City, “Crispy Red Beans,” a dish first created by chef Li Zhifang since 1942, is also very famous. This dish features a bright red color, crispy and fragrant beans, and a deliciously sour and spicy taste. To this day, it remains a beloved and well-known delicacy in people’s daily lives. (Zhaotong)