- 1 pound fresh green, yellow (wax), Italian, French, long, or winged beans
- Bring 3 cups of water to boiling
- in a 3-quart saucepan or large skillet over high heat.
- Rinse beans well. Snip off stem ends and if dried or if you prefer, pointed tip. Trim off both ends of winged beans.
- Cut French or long beans into 4-inch pieces; cut Italian and winged beans into 2-inch pieces. If green and yellow beans are mature, they should be cut diagonally’ crosswise into 2- to 3-inch pieces or Frenched (split lengthwise).
- Add beans to boiling water; return to boiling. Cover, reduce heat, and cook 5 to 7 minutes for tender young green or yellow beans, French beans, Frenched beans, and long beans; 8 to 10 minutes for mature beans and Italian beans; and 15 minutes for winged beans, or to desired tenderness .