The Italian Shrimp Bean is a rare heirloom pole bean that transforms the humble green bean into edible art. Native to Italy, where it's known as 'Anellino' (meaning 'ring'), this vibrant cultivar produces dramatically curled, shrimp-shaped pods in rich emerald green with striking purple streaks. The pods are stringless and offer a delicate, sweet flavor that makes them as delightful to eat as they are to admire. Plant these beauties on a trellis in full sun with soil pH between 6.0 and 7.0, spacing them 6 inches apart, and you'll have a stunning vertical garden element that doubles as dinner.
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These pods curl and twist in the most beguiling way, earning them their shrimp-like nickname and the Italian designation 'Anellino.' The emerald pods are striped with purple, creating a jewel-toned appearance that makes them irresistible in the garden and on the plate. What truly sets this heirloom apart is that the stringless texture pairs with a delicate sweetness rarely found in green beans, delivering both visual drama and genuine flavor depth that justifies their status as a prized Italian heirloom.
Italian Shrimp Beans excel as a fresh green bean in simple preparations that showcase their stringless texture and delicate sweetness. They're excellent raw in salads, lightly steamed or sautéed as a side dish, or tossed into pasta dishes where their tender pods and subtle flavor complement rather than overpower other ingredients. Their striking purple-striped appearance makes them particularly appealing in fresh preparations where visual appeal matters as much as taste.
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Wait until all danger of frost has passed and soil has warmed substantially before moving seedlings outdoors or direct sowing. Harden off transplants by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions over 7-10 days before planting them at their final spacing of 6 inches apart along a trellis.
Direct sow seeds into warm soil after the last frost date has passed. Plant seeds near your trellis structure so the emerging vines can immediately begin climbing.
Pick pods while they're still young and tender, before the beans inside become fully developed and the pod wall thickens. The pods should snap cleanly when bent and the emerald color should still dominate, though the purple streaks will be fully visible. Harvest regularly, at least every 2-3 days, to encourage continued flowering and pod production throughout the season. Regular harvesting prevents mature pods from signaling the plant that it has finished reproduction, keeping it in production mode longer.
As a pole bean with a vigorous climbing habit, Italian Shrimp Beans don't require pruning to encourage productivity. However, you may gently redirect wayward vines onto the trellis as they grow, ensuring they climb upward rather than spreading horizontally. Remove any diseased or damaged foliage promptly to maintain plant vigor.
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“The Italian Shrimp Bean belongs to a family of Italian heirloom beans known as Anellino types, cultivars that have been grown and treasured in Italian gardens for generations. These beans represent the rich culinary and agricultural heritage of Italy, where they've been saved and replanted by families seeking to preserve traditional varieties. Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds has brought this rare cultivar back into circulation, recognizing its importance as both a functional food crop and a living connection to Italian gardening traditions that emphasize flavor and visual beauty.”