Winged Bean (aka four-angled bean)
Psophocarpus tetragonolobus syn. Goa Bean
Origin: hot, humid tropical Madagascar and Asia
Plant: Sept – Oct – into pots initially
Harvest: April – May. Young 4-angled pods with wavy margins can be picked for eating at any stage. Do not disturb the lilac flowers, as they fall off quite easily. Allow some of the first beans to mature on the vine for seed saving. Tubers contain 20% protein and taste like early season potatoes. Can be eaten raw or cooked. Young pods, flowers, leaves, vine tips and mature seed are all edible. To improve germination, sandpaper seeds or soak in hot water until swollen.