pinto bean
Noun: 1. A variety of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) with a beige background streaked or mottled with reddish-brown, which becomes uniformly pink or tan when cooked. It is a staple food, especially in the cuisine of the southwestern United States and Mexico, and is typically sold and used in its dried form.
The word "pinto bean" is a countable noun. It refers specifically to the bean seed itself, either in its dried, uncooked state or after being prepared. - It is commonly used in the plural form ("pinto beans") when referring to them as an ingredient or food item. - It functions as a noun modifier in compound terms related to dishes (e.g., pinto bean soup, pinto bean burrito).
- As a direct object: "For the chili, you need to soak one pound of pinto beans overnight."
- As a subject: "The pinto bean is known for its creamy texture when cooked."
- With a quantifier: "She added a can of pinto beans to the recipe."
- As a noun modifier: "He ordered a pinto bean and cheese enchilada."
- Agricultural/Botanical Context: In specialized contexts, "pinto bean" can refer to the specific cultivar of the bean plant that produces these seeds.
- Example: "This field is planted with pinto bean, a variety highly resistant to local pests."
- Pinto (noun, informal): A common shortened form used in casual speech, especially when the context is clear.
- Example: "Just add some pintos to the pot."
- Frijol pinto: The Spanish term for this bean, directly translating to "speckled bean."
- Speckled bean: A direct descriptive synonym referencing its appearance.
- Mottled bean: Another descriptive synonym for its spotted look.
Note: While other beans like "kidney beans" or "black beans" are related as types of common beans, they are not synonyms for "pinto bean," which describes a specific mottled variety.
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mottled or spotted bean of southwestern United States; usually dried
