Red Cargamanto Bean Seeds | Colombian Heirloom

Grow Red Cargamanto, a Colombian heirloom bean known as frijol cargamanto rojo. Its red-speckled beans cook to a creamy texture with a mild, nutty flavor, making them at home in hearty soups, stews, and traditional Antioqueño-style bean dishes.

At a glance

• Type: Heirloom common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris)
• Origin: Colombia
• Bean appearance: Red-speckled seeds
• Kitchen use: Cooked beans for soups, stews, bean spreads, and Antioqueño-style dishes
• Available sizes: 20, 50, or 100 seeds, and 1 lb

Planting

Direct sow outdoors after the danger of frost has passed and both the air and soil have warmed. Plant in a sunny garden spot and keep the soil evenly moist as seedlings establish. Allow pods to mature before gathering beans intended for drying.

From harvest to table

Shell the mature beans and cook them thoroughly. If using dried beans, soak if desired, drain, and simmer in fresh water until tender; cooking time will vary. Imagine a pot of creamy cargamanto beans served with rice, or spooned into a warming stew.