Ukrainian Mashed White Beans (Fasoli) with Garlic
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2017 - Canada’s 150th                                                                                                                                                                    submitted by Auntie Pat
                                                                                                                                                                                                    
Mashed White Beans with Garlic was one of the vegetable dishes often selected to be included in the twelve-course Ukrainian Christmas Eve meal.  Baba’s recipe contained a healthy dose of garlic mashed in with the beans.  Ukrainians are not shy with garlic.

1 ½ cup white beans
5 cups water
1 tsp. salt
2 -3 garlic cloves (minced or sautéed whole in oil)
salt and pepper to taste
1 medium onion (diced)
vegetable oil
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​Rinse beans in cold water.  Drain.  Cover with two inches of cold water and soak 12 hours.  Drain.  Place beans in a large pot.  Cover with 5 cups of cold water.  Bring to a boil.  Remove white foam.
Cover, reduce heat and simmer until tender about 2 hours (stirring occasionally).   When almost done, add salt.   Drain.   Reserve liquid for thinning.   Mash beans well.   Add some of the saved liquid until the mashed beans have the consistency of thick sour cream.  ​
Note:  Fresh minced garlic is strong.  Sauteed garlic cloves are milder.   
Mash in minced garlic (or sautéed garlic) a little at a time.  Taste after each addition.  Salt and pepper to taste.  Saute’ onions until golden.  
Spoon mashed beans into bowl.  Sprinkle onions on top.   Serve warm.  
​Can also be chilled and served with pita bread.