ITALIAN GREEN BEANS - Fagioli Verdi

I have been making these green beans for 30 years.  It is one of my daughter's favorite. It's also great to take to a potluck dinner. 

2 lbs green beans, trimmed and broken in half

2 T olive oil

2 large shallots, thinly sliced

2 cloves garlic, minced or pressed

½ cup Italian black olives or Kalamata olives, chopped

½ cup cherry tomatoes, cut in half

¼ cup dry white wine

Sea salt and freshly ground pepper

½ lemon, zested

2 T chopped Italian parsley

2 T chopped basil

In a large deep skillet, add water to about ½ full.

Bring to a boil, add the beans, partially cover and simmer for 5 minutes.

Pour into a colander to drain, and set aside.

In the same skillet, add 1 tablespoon of the olive oil and sauté the shallots for 5 minutes.

Add garlic and sauté another 2 minutes.

Add the olives, tomatoes, green bean, wine, and lemon zest.

Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Cover and simmer 3 minutes, stirring a couple of times.

Transfer to a serving bowl, sprinkle with lemon zest, parsley, and basil.

Serves 8 to 10