Compact plants producing pale cream-yellow pods containing 6 or 7 large white ‘cannelloni beans’, essential for a range of specific dishes. Plants quite late maturing, usually grown for the fully mature seeds harvested in the autumn.

These beans require a minimum soil temperature of 20C, so seed sowing must be delayed until these conditions prevail, usually from May in succession to August. Earlier sowings can be made under glass during March and April for earliest crops. Prepare the soil prior to sowing to create a level, weed free bed. Plant seed in rows 50cm apart with seed stations every 25cm in the rows. Using a dibber place 3 to 4 seeds at each station 3 to 5cm deep. Cover seeds with soil and firm.

Water regularly after sowing and throughout the cropping period. No staking is required. Support for the plants can be achieved by pulling soil from between the rows towards the base of the plants.

Continually pick the beans before they become too large and coarse. Interplanting between rows of quick maturing vegetables such as radish or lettuce may be carried out or mulching between the rows with straw to conserve moisture and suppress weeds.

Serving suggestion - Hearty ham &: cannelloni bean soup. Remove seeds from pods, rinse and boil seeds until tender. Add a ham hock, chopped carrots, celery, onion. Add mustard powder and bay leaves, stir well and simmer. Serve with Italian bread.