Gigantes (Giants Beans) – Baked Giant Beans

Ingredients

500g dried gigantes beans (or large butter beans)

1 large onion (chopped)

2 cloves garlic (minced)

2 carrots (sliced)

1/2 cup olive oil

400g crushed tomatoes (or grated fresh tomatoes)

1 tbsp tomato paste

1 tsp sugar (optional, balances acidity)

1 bay leaf

1 tsp dried oregano

Dried parsley or dill

Salt & black pepper

Instructions
1. Soak & boil the beans
- Soak beans overnight.
- Drain, then boil in fresh water for 45–60 minutes until just tender (not fully soft). Drain again.

2. Make the sauce
In a pan:
Sauté onion, garlic, and carrot in olive oil
Add tomato paste, then crushed tomatoes
Add bay leaf, oregano, salt, pepper, and sugar
Simmer for 10–15 minutes.

3. Bake (the “plaki” method)
Preheat oven to 180°C.
In a baking dish:
Combine beans with the sauce
Add enough water to just cover
Drizzle extra olive oil
add dried parsley or dill

Bake for 1–1.5 hours until:
Beans are very soft
Sauce is thick and slightly caramelized on top