Spanish Green Beans with Garlic and Paprika Recipe - Spain on a Fork (2024)

FAQs

How do you say green beans in Spanish from Spain? ›

green bean noun

judía verde f [Span.] ejote m [Mex.]

Green beans are, in Spanish, "judías verdes" - why? What is the connection?

Beans are known by many different names in Spanish-speaking countries. Depending on who you ask, they'll say these legumes are called “frijoles”, “porotos” or even “habichuelas”. No matter the naming variations, one thing is true: beans are a staple in most, if not all, Latin American cultures.

The most widespread term is "frijol", which is used from Mexico to Panama, in Cuba, and in part of Peru. In Colombia it is known as "fríjol" and in the Antioquia region as "frisol". In Ecuador, it is called "fréjol", and in many regions of Peru, Bolivia, and Chile it is usually referred to as "frejol".

In Spanish, arbol judia means bean tree or Judas tree (the tree on which Judas Iscariot was said to have hanged himself). The tree produces bean-like pods, so judia could have come to be used for green beans when they arrived in Spain.

green bean {noun}

ejote {m} [Mex.] chaucha {f} [SAm.]

A traditional Spanish side dish that I've served on holidays for many years. But it's a simple, tasty dish anytime!

My Puerto Rican family was practically raised on rice, plantains, and habichuelas (the Puerto Rican word for beans).

1 Beans are a major source of protein, fiber, iron, manganese, and magnesium in the traditional Hispanic diet.

According to the World Avocado Organization (WAO), Spain is the largest producer in the European region, where it is also called aguacate. given due to its shape. The Spaniards adapted it to their language, creating the words aguacata and avocado.

What are the most popular beans in Spain? ›

Within Spain, kidney beans, faba beans, chickpeas and lentils are the most popular legumes.

One of its most famous dishes is fabada asturiana. Fabada is the traditional stew of the region, made with white beans, sausages (such as chorizo and morcilla), and pork. A well-known recipe is fabes con almejas (beans with clams). Asturian beans (fabes) can also be cooked with hare, partridge, prawns, or octopus.

For dinners, arroz con frijoles, or rice and beans, were a given. This quintessential Mexican side dish, as many Mexican dishes, is a product of Spanish colonization.

(Frijoles Refritos/ Refried Beans

So “refrito” means “well-fried” but somehow the term “refried” stuck and is commonly used. You can use any kind of beans you like, although pinto beans are the most traditional. In a hot skillet warm lard or oil and add chopped onion; cook for 4 minutes or until lightly brown.

But Puerto Ricans call them habichuelas. The word habichuela is commonly believed to be the diminutive of haba (Vicia faba), or fava bean. Judías (I don't know why they are called jews) or alubias are more commonly used words throughout Spain for the same common bean. Galicia and Asturias prefer faba or feixón.

French green beans (also called Haricots Verts) are slightly longer and skinnier than regular green beans and may be a little bit more expensive.

Colombia. Green: frijol verde / habichuela.