Trail of Tears

One of the reasons to shop at the farmers' market is to buy organic heirloom beans.

These beauties are Trail of Tears, an heirloom black bean that has great flavor.

They are so named because they were donated to Seed Savers Exchange in 1977 by Dr. John Wyche of Oklahoma. His Cherokee ancestors had carried these beans on the infamous death march from the Smoky Mountains to Oklahoma over the winter of 1838-39. 4,000 people died along the way. It's a horrific event in American history and I'm glad it's not forgotten.

These beans were grown on Finley Farm this summer, so they are still fresh enough to need shorter cooking time than old beans would. I don't soak them, just cook them in boiling water for an hour or so until they're tender.

They make excellent soup, and great black beans.