Cuarteles Bean is a productive fava bean variety with deep roots in New Mexico's agricultural heritage, originally collected in the Cuarteles region north of Espanola. This frost-tolerant cultivar thrives in hardiness zones 6-9 and performs exceptionally well in both summer and winter growing seasons, as proven at Native Seeds/SEARCH's research farms in Arizona and New Mexico. You can harvest the tender pods young for fresh shelling, or let them mature fully for dried beans destined for hearty soups and hummus. The variety's dual-purpose nature and reliable productivity make it a standout choice for gardeners seeking regional authenticity and culinary flexibility.
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Moderate
6-9
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Moderate
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Originally collected from the small farming communities north of Espanola, Cuarteles Bean carries the story of New Mexico's fava bean traditions directly into your garden. It proved itself in real-world growing conditions at Native Seeds/SEARCH's former Patagonia farm and winter trials in Tucson, demonstrating genuine versatility across seasons. Whether you're harvesting tender pods in early summer or waiting for fully mature beans to dry for winter cooking, this variety delivers on productivity and flavor. The ability to use it fresh or preserved gives you options that many single-purpose beans simply cannot match.
Cuarteles Bean shines in dual roles: pick the young pods for fresh shelling and incorporate the tender beans into spring and early summer cooking, or allow them to mature fully on the plant and harvest the dried beans for long-term storage. The dried beans excel in soups and hummus, bringing a rich, slightly earthy flavor to hearty winter dishes. Fresh favas can be simply sauteed, added to salads, or prepared as a standalone vegetable side dish. The variety's productivity ensures you'll have enough for both fresh eating and putting up for the cooler months.
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Sow Cuarteles Bean directly into the garden in early spring as soon as soil can be worked, or in late summer for fall/winter harvest in milder zones. The variety performed productively in both summer and winter crops at Native Seeds/SEARCH research locations, indicating flexibility in planting timing. Choose a location with full sun and well-draining soil amended with compost.
For fresh eating, pick pods when they are young and tender, typically 2-3 weeks after flowering, before the beans inside become large and starchy. Shell the fresh beans and cook them promptly for the best texture and flavor. To harvest for dried beans, allow the pods to remain on the plant until they turn brown and papery, then pick the entire pod and shell out the mature seeds. Dry the harvested beans in a warm, airy location for 2-3 weeks until they are completely hard before storing.
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“Cuarteles Bean was collected directly from farming communities in the Cuarteles region north of Espanola, New Mexico, preserving a variety deeply connected to the agricultural traditions of northern New Mexico. Native Seeds/SEARCH, a nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving crop diversity and traditional foodways of the arid Southwest, maintains this variety in its Seed Bank Collection. The bean's inclusion in their collection reflects its significance to regional farming culture and its proven adaptation to the challenging growing conditions of high-altitude, semi-arid landscapes. This is not a modern hybrid or marketing creation, but a landrace variety with roots in actual farming practice.”