Tremoços – Lupini Beans

Lupini beans – (Tremoços) are a good source of dietary fiber and protein and have many health benefits which you can read about here.

One cup of cooked lupini beans provides 200 calories, 5 grams of fiber and a whopping 26 grams of protein.

The only other beans with more protein than lupini beans are soybeans.

I love this snack but I find the ones that you find selling grocery stores are too salt so I made these at home instead.

This recipe is pretty simple but it takes about 5-10 days of soaking them in the refrigerator, before you get the final product.

Ingredients:

1 pound of dried lupini beans (picked over to remove any sand)

large pot of water

Seasonings for serving (optional):

2 cloves garlic (finely chopped)

 Olive oil

 Crushed black pepper to taste

Instructions:

Place the beans in a pot if water and soak overnight.  After 24 hours, add more water to the pot if needed. The water should completly cover the beans with at least 2-3 inches of water.

Boil the beans to a boil and cook simmering for about 2 hours.

Drain and rinse the beans and place them in a large container and cover with cold water.  Let them cool and place in the refrigerator.

Change the water once a day for 10-14 days. After 10 days, taste a bean for bitterness.

It may take more days to remove the bitterness from the beans.

When the bitterness is gone add ratio of about 1/4 cup of salt to 1 gallon of water with the beans.

They can be stored this way in the refrigerator. You may add more salt if desired.

Serving suggestion: 

Remove desired amount of beans from the jar and splash with olive oil. Add the a chopped garlic and black pepper!

Photo credit: http://www.christinascucina.com/2012/12/lupini-beans-and-olives-italian.html