Green Beans never tasted so good! Greek Green Beans in Tomato Sauce – Fasolakia will change the way you think about this vegetable!
From Lizz: Traditional Greek cooking changes with the seasons and is based on what is fresh and most readily available. I absolutely love the bounty of fresh summer vegetables! Having the opportunity to cook and bring together a variety of vegetables to create a simple, healthy, flavorful and filling dish goes without a second thought in Greek cooking.
We’ve been fortunate to have lots of fresh, vine ripened tomatoes growing in our yard this summer and I continue to look for ways to use them in dishes other than salads. We were able to find fresh string beans at the Farmers Market this past weekend so I decided to cook them up with the tomatoes to make a simple, yet satisfying dish of Greek Green Beans in Tomato Sauce – Fasolakia. It’s a simple formula…extra virgin olive oil, some chopped onion, chopped garlic and the fresh vegetables.
We love these hot off of the stove or at room temperature. Either way, they are tasty and a great compliment to some fresh grilled fish or some grilled lamb chops.
Kali Orexi!
HOW TO MAKE FASOLAKIA
- Wash green beans and cut off both ends.
- Grate tomatoes to a fine pulp with a box grater.
- Chop onion, mince garlic. Add tomato paste to 1 cup of water and whisk together to break down the tomato paste. Set aside.
- In a medium size pot, saute the onion and garlic in the extra virgin olive oil, over medium to low heat, for 2-3 minutes.
- Add green beans, grated tomato, tomato paste with water mixture, parsley, salt and pepper to sauce pan. Stir well to incorporate all ingredients. Bring to a light boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer for 30-35 minutes.
CAN I USE CRUSHED CANNED TOMATOES TO MAKE FASOLAKIA?
During the winter months, when vine ripened tomatoes are not easy to find, we use canned crushed tomatoes. However, we’ve gotten pretty picky and even though they are more expensive, we will use San Marzano tomatoes when we don’t use fresh tomatoes. They are a product of Italy and certified D.O.P – “designation of protected origin,” which is the European Union’s stamp of authenticity. Trust us on this one.
WHAT IF I’M NOT ABLE TO FIND FRESH GREEN BEANS OR I JUST WANT A FASTER METHOD? CAN I USE FROZEN GREEN BEANS?
If fresh green beans are not available or you simply want a faster method, you can use frozen green beans. You save time because you don’t need to prepare the green beans by washing them and cutting off the ends. Combined with a good quality canned tomato, this dish can come together in 30 minutes.
Fasolakia Recipe
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Fasolakia
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 lb green beans washed, and ends cut off
- 1 cup grated tomato 4 medium vine ripened
- 1/2 yellow onion, medium finely chopped
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 clove garlic, large finely minced
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/4 tsp fresh ground black pepper
Instructions
- Wash green beans and cut off both ends.
- Grate tomatoes to a fine pulp with a box grater. Set aside.
- Add tomato paste to 1 cup of water and whisk together to break down the tomato paste. Set aside.
- Chop onion, mince garlic.
- In a medium size pot, add the extra virgin olive oil. Heat the olive oil over medium to low heat, Add the onion and garlic and saute for 2-3 minutes.
- Add green beans, grated tomato, tomato paste with water mixture, parsley, salt and pepper to sauce pan. Stir well to incorporate all ingredients. Bring to a light boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer for 30-35 minutes.
Fasolakia is a popular dish in Greece, and it’s also a staple in our household! I like to garnish mine with plenty of fresh herbs, such as parsley, chives, or dill.
Definitely, such a staple dish!
To die for yummy!
How much parsley? No parsley listed in ingredients, but listed in instructions. Garnish only? Thank you.
Wow, a super late response on this sorry Diana! Parsley only for the garnish, thanks for your comment.