Mom's Green Bean and New Potato Salad is not your usual side dish, it is one that is packed with summer memories, highlighting the seasonal organic produce coming right out of our backyard, and the amazing local organic growers!
Song of the day: "Mother" by Pink Floyd.
Mom's Green Bean and New Potato Salad is a delicious side dish that would be served at the summer's end in our Italian family. Fresh organic flavors meet the simple preparation of food in our culture. Beautiful fluffy moist starchy garden potatoes, and some lovely perfectly cooked French-style green beans tossed in e.v.o. oil, fresh chopped Italian parsley, and minced garlic, so so scrumptious!
Mom's recipes are many, like chocolate zucchini cake, verdura (sauteed greens), potato salad, lemon cookies, just to name a few, but one that I want to share with you today is Mom's Green Bean and New Potato Salad. I remember so vividly our summers, endless hours outdoors on excursions to the woods and creek, going swimming, visiting friends, but one thing that really sticks in my mind was our garden.
Mom's garden was amazing, well, it was not only my mom's, it was also my dad's. They both had a real green thumb and could grow anything, even Concord grapes in our very short summer season and usually cooler Fall. I remember the fragrances coming off the garden, fresh basil, parsley, tomatoes, onions. It was like a jungle of organic food and as kids we loved raiding it, eating fresh carrots, peas, etc. One recipe that I always looked forward to, was Mom's bean and potato salad. It featured fresh new potatoes and the most exquisite green beans which my dad had a knack for growing. Those spindles of vines full of the hanging green beans that I loved to pick, especially the little tender ones. I enjoyed working in the garden picking things and always fascinated to see the things that really came from a seed and my parents' passion. Then amazingly to full out vegetables and in abundance.
This salad, my Mom's and Dad's favorite, was finished with a drizzle of good olive oil which brought flavors to life, of course with the aid of garlic and fresh parsley. That's what I love about Italian cooking, few incredible ingredients and a simple preparation that delivers an amazing flavor experience.
Speed time up a bit, and today I am celebrating our own garden which I planted this year in my parents' backyard. I did it solo, as my father passed away a few months ago and my mom is ill in hospital. A bittersweet experience with many emotions and memories. I did not plant beans this time thinking it would be too much and thinking I would have had beans till the end of time, considering how things are growing this year. It is really self-gratifying growing your own foods and when the harvest comes in and you eat it, it is very fulfilling knowing where it came from.
Look at our harvest, well only the potatoes are from our garden, the parsley comes from a friend's garden, the French green beans from our friend Graham Sparrow's Nest Organics, and the fresh garlic from the Hutterites, both located in The Old Strathcona Farmers Market.
From Garden to Table Mom's Green Bean and New Potato Salad!
This is so simple to make and is perfect for those summer meals outside. The freshness of the air just makes food taste so good, and after working so hard in the garden, I am very hungry, so better get cooking!
The prep for this dish goes something like this:
- Boil potatoes which have been washed and peels left on.
- Trim beans and cook with potatoes for a bit in boiling water.
- Toss potatoes and beans in a pan with olive oil, sea salt, fresh cracked pepper and when it is nicely cooked, a finish of fresh chopped parsley and minced garlic. Well, maybe some more olive oil.
That's it. So simple right?
Look at those potatoes, a nice color medley but more so that starchiness coming forth. The green beans so vibrant in color and those nice hits of fresh parsley. I love the aroma, the garlic and oil along with that parsley is heavenly and has my hunger growing to new heights. I have to go in for a taste. Ooooooooh those potatoes, buttery, smooth and so velvety on the tongue. I especially like the skin and its tenderness, it has so much flavor. The beans sweet/savory combination with that nice crunch leading to that delicious interior. The parsley adds nature's pepperiness to the mix and that garlic has that way of schmoozing into everything, this time very welcomed. I love the way that starchy butter from the potatoes coats things and adds that luxurious comfort to the dish.
I am flooded with so many memories of my parents talking among the foliage of the lush garden and how time has a way of slipping by. I am so grateful of my childhood and learning the tricks of the trade in producing a beautiful garden and Mom's and Dad's recipes that live in me forever and that I want to share with all of you. Get in your garden and pick those wonderful vegetables. If you don't have a garden celebrate our amazing organic producers and visit your local farmers market and try this simple yet so flavor-packed Mom's Green Bean and New Potato Salad.
Yesterday was the start of the Harvest celebrations in Italy, called Ferragosto, a wondrous time of the year there.
Buon Ferragosto!
Enjoy:
Song of the Day: "Mother" by Pink Floyd.
Mom's Green Bean and New Potato Salad
Mom's Green Bean and New Potato Salad, is a delicious side dish that would be served at the summer's end in our Italian family. Fresh organic flavors meet the simple preparation of food in our culture. Beautiful fluffy moist starchy garden potatoes, and some lovely perfectly cooked French-style green beans tossed in e.v.o. oil, fresh chopped Italian parsley, and minced garlic, so so scrumptious!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: serves 4
- Category: Vegetarian
- Method: Boiling/sauteing
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
- 160 g French green beans
- 18 baby potatoes, yellow and red
- 2 cloves garlic minced with center stem removed
- 2 Tbsp e.v.o. oil
- a pinch of sea salt
- a crackling black pepper
- a handful of fresh chopped flat leaf parsley
Instructions
- Wash potatoes and trim beans.
- Bring a large pot of water to boil.
- Place potatoes in and cook for 13 minutes.
- Add in green beans and cook for an additional 5 minutes, drain and set aside.
- In a large saute pan or wok heat up olive oil.
- Place in potatoes and beans and saute for about 5 minutes.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Toss in chopped parsley and a drizzle of olive oil.
- Ready to serve.
Enjoy!
Notes
- A great tip for using garlic and not having the breath that is associated with eating it is, cut garlic in half and peel out the center stem.
We paired this beautiful side dish with a dry rubbed charbroiled steelhead trout. Delicious dinner!
When I am not cooking, I enjoy playing musical instruments, singing, writing. I have learned over the years to live in gratitude and enjoy the moment.
Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop says
What a beautiful tribute to your parents. They would be proud of your garden - it's beautiful. This salad sounds wonderful and I'm sure is full of wonderful memories for you!
Sherri @ WatchLearnEat says
OMG! I love everything about this salad! And your photos are stunning! Definitely pinning for later! Also, love your song choice - now it's stuck in my head. LOL 🙂
Thank you Sherri, the photos are mostly done by Nicoletta although I get behind the lens once in a while it is a passion of our to capture the true moment in food. We are so glad you liked the song, we love music and it goes hand in hand with food. There is nothing better than cooking and having great music playing in the background.
Happy cooking!
Cheers!
Loreto
Anne says
This salad looks so good! Perfect for the end of summer and a mix of green bean and potato salad!
Thank you Anne, you are so right, we feel blessed to have this breat produce to use in these simple yet oh so delicious Italian recipies.
Have a great day!
Loreto
Veena Azmanov says
I love everything about this salad. Green beans and potato sound so fresh and summery. Would be perfect for a BBQ served alongside all the meat. Saving for later.
Thank you Veena, yes it is a great side for those barbeque dinners! Well put!
Ciao for now!
Loreto
Dominique| Perchance to Cook says
This salad is beautiful, unique and so flavorful. I love the simple healthy ingredients and how the individual flavors are enhanced here. YUM
Hi Dominique, thank you it is so true that sometimes simple is best and this recipe resonates that perfectly with its textyres and flavors as you have beautifully put it.
Cheers!
Loreto
shobelyn says
I am sorry for your loss and I hope your mom is feeling ok as of this post.Your garden is very beautiful, how I wish I will have my own garden. Looking from heaven, your dad is proud of your garden.
Thank you for those heart felt words, it means alot!
Have a wionderful day!
Loreto
Holly says
I'm a fellow gardener myself so I have a huge appreciation for planting a seed and caring for it until it becomes fruit. This potato salad is so simple and so delicious... allowing the veggies to have center stage with all the amazingness they have to offer!
Well put Holly, I agree totally. Complex flavored and process recipes are great but sometimes it is nice to keep it on the down low, pardon the pun and just accentuate the great flavors and textures that nature has to offer us. Thank you for sharing and checking this recipe out.
HGave a most joyous weekend!
Loreto out!
Elaine says
I get so emotional when I read stories of family recipes. It brings up memories, too. Anyway, your mom's recipes are amazing, and I look forward to more of them in the future!
Hi Elaine, the stories do the same to me I get all teary eyed and emotional, and am flooded with so many cooking memories, flavors and textures. Thank you so much for reading our post and enjoying the recipe.
Happy cooking!
loreto
Marisa Franca says
The salad looks and sounds wonderful. This is just the type of dish my mamma used to make for us. Everything was fresh and the flavors were wonderful. Mamma didn't have a lot of spices and herbs. Just the basics and her food tasted heavenly. I wish I could cook for them now.
Hi Marisa what a warm memory of your mamma, I totally get that whole simple and delicious thing. I think Italian cooking epitomizes that fact. Simple amazing ingredients meets a passion to feed people incredible tasting food, end result smiles and heart felt devotion. I am sure if you think of your Mom and remember her, that way of cooking will come out of those stored memory cells and you will be amazed at what you can create.
Ciao Loreto
Jessica Pinney says
Your garden is beautiful and that dish looks so fresh and delicious! I will be trying it out with some veggies I pick up from the farmer's market. Thank you for sharing.
You are so welcome Jessica, it has been quite the summer in our garden and so proud how it has given us such beautiful produce to eat. It is so great to be able to eat fresh and create these simple, natural delicious dishes. Thank you for sharing and commenting!
Cheers!
Loreto
Veronika's Kitchen says
Oh Yes! This is the best recipe with the fresh baby potatoes! I love simple but at the same time delicious recipes made with fresh fruits or vegetables from the garden!
Thank you Veronica, We agree with you totally, fesh and homegrown in good soil and lots of organic nuturing is best.
Cheers!
loreto
Claire | The Simple, Sweet Life says
This sounds so delicious and hardy, and totally brings back memories of a similar favorite from our family: green beans and potatoes. My grandmother grew up in a coal mining family in the Midwest where she was one of 13 kids. Food was often simple and homegrown. I don't know how far back the recipe goes, but somewhere along the way someone in her family started cooking potatoes, green beans, pinto beans and coarsely chopped onions in bacon grease and serving it beside (or sometimes over) cornbread. It brings back fond memories of my grandma every time I make it. It's truly beautiful how food ties us to our past.
Hi Claire, so true food has many facettes to it and reigniting beautiful memories is one for sure. Wow 13 kids that is a lot of mouths to feed! Thank goodness for grandmas and that home cooking! and thank you for sharing your lovely story.
Have a wonderful week!
Loreto
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Michele says
That salad looks so fresh and delicious! I've never eaten green beans in my salad but I'm excited to try this. Love fresh green beans and potatoes!
Hi Michele, green beans and potatoes especially fresh and organic are a match made in heaven. A great side dish to any family meal, but enough there to have it on its own. Thank you Michele.
Cheers!
loreto