1. Green Beans with Low Fat Dressing

2. Green Beans with Low Fat Dressing  Green beans are the unripe fruit of any kind of bean, including the yardlong bean, hyacinth bean, winged bean, and especially the common bean Yardlong beanHyacinth beanWinged beanCommon bean

3. Green Beans with Low Fat Dressing  Although green beans are the unripe fruits of any kind of bean, they are classified as legumes and are commonly used as vegetables in cooking.

4. Green Beans with Low Fat Dressing  The common bean is the most important economic variety of its genus  The first green bean originated in Peru and spread throughout the world in the 16 th century  Today, green beans are grown in nearly all parts of the world Common beans on the plant

5. Green Beans with Low Fat Dressing  A green bean consists of a long pod that surrounds and protects the ripe beans, or seeds, inside  Their pods are sweet and fleshy, and the beans even sweeter Cut green beans

6. Green Beans with Low Fat Dressing  There are two categories of green beans: bush beans and pole beans  Bush beans grow on a bush while pole beans need the support of a long pole in order to grow.  Bush beans grow low to the ground while pole beans grow up the length of the pole

7. Green Beans with Low Fat Dressing  There are 130 different varieties of green beans  Pod color can be green, golden, purple, red, or streaked  Shapes range from thin "fillet" types to wide "romano" types and more common types in between  The French term “Haricots vert” refers to a longer, thinner type of green bean than the typical American green bean

8. Green Beans with Low Fat Dressing  Green beans are available all year round as they are sold fresh, canned, or even frozen  They are often steamed, boiled, stir-fried, or baked in casseroles  Steaming the green beans for 5 minutes retains their nutrients, brings out their peak flavor, and retains their bright green color

9. Green Beans with Low Fat Dressing  Green beans are rich in many nutrients including Vitamins K, C, A, and B Vitamins as well as fiber and manganese  Although green beans are green, they are rich in carotenoids  Eat green beans for bone health and for their health-supportive antioxidant qualities!

10. References  http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/green-beans-1.jpg http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/green-beans-1.jpg  http://www.chickenshack.com/managed_images/menu/items/med/Ranch_ Dressing.jpg http://www.chickenshack.com/managed_images/menu/items/med/Ranch_ Dressing.jpg http://www.chickenshack.com/managed_images/menu/items/med/Ranch_ Dressing.jpg  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_bean http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_bean  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:A_green_bean.jpg http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:A_green_bean.jpg  http://www.organicgardeninfo.com/images/bush-lima-beans.jpg http://www.organicgardeninfo.com/images/bush-lima-beans.jpg  http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=134 http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=134  http://www.poster.net/anonymous/anonymous-legumes-dete-2203429.jpg http://www.poster.net/anonymous/anonymous-legumes-dete-2203429.jpg Children’s Books about Green Beans Green Beans, Potatoes, and Even Tomatoes: What is in the Vegetables Group? by Brian Cleary