Shaker Fresh Cranberry Bean Chowder

Yield 7 cups - Courtesy of Jasper White's FIFTY CHOWDERS (Scribner, 2000)

2 pounds fresh cranberry beans (shell beans) in the pod
4 ounce slab (unsliced) bacon, rind removed, cut into 1/3-inch dice
1 clove garlic, finely chopped (1 teaspoon)
1 large onion (12 ounces), cut into 1/2-inch dice
2 to 3 sprigs fresh thyme, leaves removed and chopped (1 teaspoon)
1 dried bay leaf
5 cups chicken broth, or water
1 pound ripe tomatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch dice, with their juice, or 1 1/2 cups diced (1/2 inch) canned tomatoes with their juice
2 tablespoons dark molasses
Kosher or sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
For garnish: 3 scallions, thinly sliced


Shuck the beans and discard any that are soft or blemished. You should have about 3 cups.

Heat a 3- to 4-quart heavy pot over low heat and add the diced bacon. Once it has rendered a few tablespoons of fat, increase the heat to medium and cook until the bacon is crisp and golden brown.

Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add the onion, thyme, and bay leaf and saute, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon, for about 8 minutes, until the onion is tender but not browned.

Add the beans and stock. Partially cover the pot and bring to a simmer. Cook the beans at a steady simmer over medium heat for 20 to 25 minutes, until they are tender. Reduce the heat to low.

Remove 2 cups of the chowder from the pot and puree in a food mill held over the pot so it falls directly back into the chowder, or puree in a food processor and return to the chowder. Add the tomatoes and their juices, along with the molasses, and let the chowder simmer slowly for another 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and season with salt and pepper. If you are not serving the chowder within the hour, let it cool a bit, then refrigerate; cover the chowder after it has cooled completely. Otherwise, let it sit at room temperature for up to an hour, allowing the flavors to meld.

When ready to serve, reheat the chowder over low heat, stirring occasionally so it doesn't stick. Ladle the chowder into cups and sprinkle with the sliced scallions.