Overall, the appearance and the savory nature of beans complement a lot of dishes. Borlotti beans alongside the cannellini beans are no exception.
You can use borlotti beans and cannellini beans for beans salad or cold pasta. So since both beans complements virtually the same dishes, are borlotti beans the same as cannellini beans?
Whenever there is a need for replacement, cannellini beans are great substitutes for borlotti beans and vice versa. But borlotti beans are not the same as cannellini beans.
Cannellini and borlotti differ in color and size and can be used in different recipes unless there is a need for substitution.
Read on to find out the fun facts about borlotti beans and cannellini beans.
Contents
What you need to know about borlotti beans
Borlotti beans are also known as cranberry beans. This bean is an excellent source of protein, minerals, and vitamins and as a result, people recommend borlotti beans because of their nutritional and health benefits.
Borlotti beans come in red-spotted and white colors. These beans are virtually similar to red kidney beans and pinto beans. They have a thin skin and some mild flavor to go with when you cook them.
Borlotti beans are honorable as they offer a sweet taste to many dishes; they are good stand-alone meals, as they are filled with nutritional values. However, they do great as a side dish too!
Where are borlotti beans from?
Borlotti beans are native to South America since it is first bred in Colombia. However, the nutritional values of this bean have led it into the Italian and Mexican recipes.
They make super great dishes. Little wonder Mexico calls it frijol cachuate, meaning peanut beans.
What can you cook with borlotti beans?
There is an abundance of great recipes you can cook with borlotti beans. Borlotti beans would offer a creamy texture when you cook them.
And although the borlotti beans are suitable in salads, soups, and stews, you can use them in other recipes.
So, you are welcome to try other recipes too. You too can get creative when you wish to make something that is sight-calling and satisfying with borlotti beans.
Where can you find borlotti beans?
Don’t worry; you wouldn’t have to search for borlotti beans in all nooks and cranny because these beans are available in most grocery stores.
But it might seem impossible to find borlotti beans in cans because borlotti beans are not available in cans.
So now you know you can get your borlotti beans in a snap of a finger. What if you get it? How long would it last? Read on to find out.
How long do borlotti beans last?
Well, borlotti bean like every other bean lasts for a long time. If you store borlotti beans in a proper condition, then they would last for about 2 to 3 years.
However, in the long run, if you do not use the beans, they would slowly lose their taste.
How do you cook borlotti beans?
Cooking this bean is not tasky even if it is your first time cooking it. You can soak the beans in a bowl of water and leave it at room temperature for 8 o 10 hours. It is not advisable to leave the beans for over 12 hours else the process would alter the taste.
When you want to cook the canned borlotti beans, rinse the beans from the water before cooking.
For dried beans: when you are cooking dried beans, allow the beans to boil for some time, then lower the heat and allow the beans to cook on low heat. Ensure you add water to keep the beans submerged.
This is to keep the beans from burning. Continue cooking until you achieve a tender and creamy texture. It would take borlotti beans 1 to ½ hours to cook.
Are borlotti beans great substitutes?
Yes, borlotti beans are great substitutes and their color is never a limitation. Borlotti is a suitable substitute for cannellini beans when color is not in consideration. And although they are great substitutes for cannellini beans, they are nothing like cannellini beans.
Now let’s learn about the cannellini beans.
Read: What You Need To Know About Point-Of-Use Water Filter?
What you need to know about the cannellini beans
Cannellini beans are popular white beans that are known for their large shape. Also known as white kidney beans, they maintain their shape when cooked and they can easily fit a lot of recipes.
Where can you find cannellini beans? You can find this beans in grocery stores. Do you know the fun part? Unlike the borlotti beans that are not widely available in cans, the cannellini beans are available in cans and if you want them dry, you can have them as well.
So depending on your recipe, you can either go with canned or dry cannellini beans.
How long do the cannellini beans last?
The cannellini beans like the borlotti beans would last for 2 to 3 years if you properly store them.
For canned cannellini beans: an unopened can of cannellini beans will stay unaltered for 3 to 5 years.
However, if you open them, it is best to rinse them and then store in an airtight container. It will last in the fridge for at least 3 days.
If you intend to freeze it, it would last for 1 to 2 months.
Are cannellini beans great substitutes?
Let’s say you need to prepare some meal with borlotti beans or any other beans but cannot get them.
Cannellini beans are great substitutes if size and color would not be put into consideration. Other beans substitute cannellini too, namely navy beans, great northern beans, and garbanzo beans. The cannellini beans are quite nutritious, just like the borlotti beans.
These white kidney beans are rich in fiber, folate, iron, and magnesium. They are fat-free too.
Where are cannellini beans from?
The cannellini beans are popular in the central and southern Italian regions. They refer to them as Fagioli. And although they are popular in Italian cuisines, the cannellini beans make excellent recipes in America, Africa, and Europe too!
Their fascinating appearance and their ability to maintain their unique shape after cooking position them as an excellent compliment for a lot of recipes.
What can you cook with cannellini beans?
Are you wondering what you can make with these wonderful beans? Well, cannellini beans would do great in mine stone soup, beans, salad stews, chilies, and other dishes.
You can never go wrong or hungry having cannellini beans in your kitchen. You can learn how to make good recipes with cannellini beans.
How to cook cannellini beans
Cannellini beans are quite easy to prepare. So if you have cooked a lot of white beans then cooking cannellini beans would not be a problem.
For dried beans: you can soak them overnight to help soften the beans.
So if you have had cooking experiences with a lot of white beans, then you will have a great time making the cannellini beans.
Cook for ten minutes; simmer for 2 hours to soften it. Only add salt when the beans are soft, otherwise you harden the beans.
Are borlotti beans the same as cannellini beans?
No, borlotti beans are not the same as cannellini beans. Although both are nutritious beans and would in many cases substitute the other, they are not the same.
Borlotti beans mostly comes in speckled red while cannellini beans comes in white a kidney like shape.
More so, borlotti beans have thinner skin compared to cannellini beans.
Read: What Is Traditionally Served With Tamales? (8 Proven Meals)
Conclusion
Hopefully, we have helped answer your undying question; are borlotti beans the same as cannellini beans?
Cannellini can be great substitutes for borlotti beans, but since they are larger than borlotti beans and differ in colors, they may not work in all recipes.
These are all there is to know about cannellini beans and borlotti beans. If you have both cannellini beans and borlotti beans on your shelf, then you sure would make an excellent recipe with these beans.
Good luck with that!