Haricot Verts

These are Tavera bush beans, a variety of French filet beans, sometimes called "haricot verts" (which is, I think, simply French for "green beans"). They ripened all at once on about ten bushes, an experimental planting that has yielded these lovely results. It's easy to see why the French would favor these elegant haricots, long, thin, and elegant as runway models.

This is the entire harvest, so far. They are amazingly delicious -- tender, sweet, and flavorful! Just blanch them for a few minutes, whole and untrimmed, in vigorously boiling water, and serve with a bit of butter, salt, and lemon.