What’s in season: Pole beans

Dragon Tongue and rattlesnake may sound like characters in the new GI Joe movie — but you’re more likely to find them at the organic market. These are two of the badass pole bean varietals that are currently in season. One of the few aptly named vegetables, pole beans are grown on a pole or trellis.

“These can be eaten raw or cooked. The easiest way to figure out which you want to do is eat one raw and see if you like the taste,” says Dan Heryer of Badseed Farm.

As long as they’re not soft, they’re fine to buy. Pole beans are best eaten fresh within a day of being purchased. But if you’re storing them, put them in a Ziploc bag or Tupperware container and they should last for a week to ten days in the crisper drawer.