Black Beans to Refried Beans

Back in THIS POST we talked about making homemade corn tortillas and the side dish with that meal was refried black beans.  When we can, we like to grow things and I had never grown black beans.  I ordered a package of Black Beans (Turtle Beans) from Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds and we discussed planting and harvesting them In This Earlier Post.

Now the growing conditions were not favorable for growing beans during this time. In fact, it rained every day and a lot of the beans were unable to dry in the pods and actually sprouted in the pod and had to be discarded.  We did salvage some, however, and ended up with a white bowl full of shiny black beans.

I can remember back when my brother-in-law got married down in Mexico City, we went to eat breakfast and they served refried black beans as a side dish TO BREAKFAST!  It seemed weird, but it worked.  It was very good.  We like to eat black beans as a side dish. To get these beans into edible form, it takes a little bit of work, but not too much.  Here's what we did:

First Tricia soaked the beans overnight in filtered water mixed with a little vinegar. This causes the beans to swell up.  Soaking the beans reduces phytic acid that is present in them that reduces the bodies ability to absorb minerals.  By soaking beans, you are making them healthier!

Then Tricia pours out the water and rinses off the beans. She puts them in a pot, adds water to cover and adds kosher salt and then covers and cooks for about an hour.  Once they are all cooked, she tastes them for doneness and seasoning.  Now comes the usage of Tricia's favorite kitchen gadget.  My parents gave us an immersion blender that we use all the time.  Using the immersion blender, she purees the black beans.

The consistency of the black beans is still not right, though - too much liquid.  She adds a Tablespoon of cooking oil and continues cooking and stirring until some of the liquid evaporates and the consistency is perfect.  And there you have it - Refried Black Beans! They may not LOOK appetizing from the picture, but they are delicious!

We'll do this again, but I broke the cardinal rule of gardening - I "ate my 'seedcorn'". Because of the weather that contributed to a small harvest, I didn't save any of the heirloom seed I harvested to grow again next year.  When I sit down to take inventory of seed this Fall, I will definitely order more Black Beans.