Romano beans are related to the more familiar snap beans but wider and flatter. Italian Romano beans must not be overcooked or the beans will get mushy and dissolve. New hybrid colors include purple and yellow as well as the more common green.
This variety is not as widely sold in the U.S. as other types of snap beans but look for fresh Romano beans your local Farmer's Market. You may find them occasionally in your local grocery store. If you grow a garden in the summer then you may want to add them to your bean rotation. They are easy to grow and the colors can be really fun. Roman beans can also be purchase in dried form or fully-cooked in cans. These can be purchased online at Amazon.com: Romano Beans.
If you don't have Roman Beans you can use equal amounts of: