Shepherd’s Farm pinquito beans

I have to give a big shout out to Shepherd Farm, who sets up shop in the middle of the Saturday farmers market, the first aisle along the Cota side. I believe he comes to the Tuesday evening market, but I’ve lately only been going to the Saturday market.
This time of year he has a variety of newly harvested dried beans, including one of the prides of Santa Barbara county, the diminutive pinquito bean.

It’s used in the classic Santa Maria style tri-tip meal, and unsurprisingly are called Santa Maria style beans, very similar in flavor to ranch style beans or bbq beans.

The pinquitos are cute, pink, firm, and small. They cook up fast because of their size, and even faster because Shepherd’s are so fresh, grown in Carpinteria. They’re sold by weight, $4 a pound.

He sells several types of beans, and the big bins of them are down to bits and pieces by the end of the market. But I am all over the pinquitos, as they are not commonly available like pintos or kidneys outside of the area.

Btw, Shepherd Farms also has a CSA program.

Here is my Santa Maria style pinquito beans, adapted from Recipezaar.

Santa Maria style pinquito beans

* 1 lb pinquito beans, dried
* 2 slices bacon, diced
* 1/2 cup diced ham
* 1/2 onion
* 2-3 garlic cloves, pressed (I used roasted garlic cloves)
* 3/4 cup tomato puree
* 2 Tbls cup red chili powder (I use smoked Chimayo chile powder)
* 1 tablespoon sugar
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1 tablespoon dry mustard (I used Coleman’s hot mustard)

Pick over beans to remove dirt and small stones; cover with water and let soak overnight in a large container. Drain.
Sauté bacon and ham until lightly browned in a pressure cooker pot, then add the garlic and sauté a minute or two longer.
Add the beans to the pot, cover with fresh water and pressure cook them for 15 minutes. Or, simmer 2 hours in a standard pot, or until tender.
Release the pressure, and add tomato puree, chili sauce, sugar, mustard, and salt. Stir and taste, then eat!
Keep warm on low heat until ready to serve.

Shepherd Farms
6701 Casitas Pass Road
Carpinteria, CA 93013
shepherdfarmscsa.com