Ampelofasoula
(Sneak Beans)
Ampelofasoula is similar to string beans, just longer and thinner. Look exactly like sneak beans that we find in East-Asian grocery shops. It is usually eaten like horta (wild green), boiled and seasoned with salt, olive oil and lemon juice or vinegar.
The one in the photo right is ampelofasoula I ate in Agios Isidoros, near Plomari, Lesvos Island.
These are ampelofasoula before cooking.
They don't need much preparation, but need to be boiled well until soft; they cannot be eaten crunchy.
They are in season in the summer.
The beans sold under the name "ampelofasoula" are probably not only one kind: they can be shorter or longer (as much as 30 cm), fatter and thinner, greener and darker.
The name ampelofasoula is composite word of ampelo- (vine) and fasoula (beans), as it is climber.