Käferbohnensalat

Käferbohnensalat is one of the most traditional dishes from the Austrian state of Styria. Käferbohnen, literally meaning beetle beans, also known as Styrian scarlet runner beans, are a variety of extra large, lilac-violet speckled beans that have been grown in Styria ever since the 16th century.

In this simple salad, previously soaked and cooked beans are flavored with vinegar, pumpkin seed oil, onions (grated horseradish can be used instead), salt, pepper, and a pinch of sugar. This basic, traditional recipe is sometimes additionally enriched with hard-boiled eggs, peppers, corn, or tomatoes.