Long tradition of bean-hole beans continues

GILFORD — First United Methodist Church of Gilford continues its long tradition of serving the best bean-hole beans in the region as part of its Harvest Supper on Saturday, Oct. 21.

Cooking beans in the ground may have originated with the New England Native American tribes. The method was then used by marching regiments as they arrived at their destination, and the cook, arriving earlier in the day, had prepared the beans buried in holes with hot rocks, so that troops could be fed immediately.

The tradition continued into peace time with Grange suppers, Old Home Day suppers and church suppers throughout New England. Today, few of these public suppers continue the tradition of cooking their beans in bean holes.

However, for over 50 years, the First United Methodist Church of Gilford has carried on this tradition. On the Friday before the dinner, the beans are par-boiled, placed in huge iron pots with maple syrup, salt pork and spices. In the late afternoon, two large iron pots are moved to the holes lined with red hot stones prepared by keeping a wood fire burning within all day.

After covering the holes, the pots are left in the ground for 24 hours; Saturday afternoon, the pots are uncovered and lifted out and moved to the dining hall so beans can be scooped into dishes for serving. Folks return year after year to get their favorite — either dark red kidney beans or yellow-eye beans, both cooked with maple syrup from a Gilford farm.

Besides the two kinds of beans, diners are served all-you-can-eat corned beef, cabbage, boiled potatoes, carrots, home-made rolls and apple or pumpkin pie for dessert. Tickets are available for 5 and 6:30 p.m. settings.

To see the beans uncovered, lifted from their holes and carried into the church, arrive in the back parking lot at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday.

First United Methodist Church is at 18 Wesley Way, off Route 11A near the bypass. Call 603-524-3289 for information and to make reservations. When leaving a message, provide name, number of tickets and preferred time.