Recipe of the week: gigantes (white butter beans) with spinach and chard

Using high-quality dried beans is important for this Greek dish

a close up photo of the dish with beans and spinach and chard with a spoon dug into it
Gigantes with spinach and chard
(Image credit: Manos Chatzikonstantis)

Gigantes – or large white butter beans – are popular throughout Greece and are mostly grown in the country’s northwest region, says Carolina Doriti. Typically, the beans are baked; it’s quite common to add sliced sausage, spinach or other seasonal leafy greens, such as chard and sorrel, along with plenty of aromatic herbs. Using high-quality dried beans is important for this dish: I make sure they are from the same year’s harvest. The amount of time you need to boil them for will vary depending on their quality and freshness.

Ingredients: serves 4 people

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