I cook the fresh shell beans separately because they take longer.

Few books offer recipes for fresh shell beans, which are available now through the fall.

Variation: If desired, add 1/2 to 1 cup soaked or cooked bulgur, cooked kasha or brown rice, or fresh shell beans to salad.

Fresh shell beans can be simmered in water flavored with onion, garlic and herbs and allowed to cool in their cooking liquid.

"Fresh shell beans are easy and quick," she said.

With their firm texture, they are snappier than other shell beans, though with a succulence and heartiness that makes a dish of them a delightful warm weather meal.

You'll see lots of shell beans on my menu.

I like to serve scallions and fennel with the lamb, and, if I have them, fresh shell beans like favas.

She prefers to use fresh shell beans, which, like almost everything else used in these recipes, are in season now.

They are called shell beans because, like fresh peas and fava beans, they have to be shelled from their pods.