Gigante Beans With Mint Pesto & Barley

Gigante beans, as the name suggests, are large white beans that are similar in flavor to cannellini. I love beans of all sizes, but using larger varieties is useful when creating salads and sides that revolve around the bean. This salad is a great transition dish—a dish that we put on the menu in between seasons because it works in both. The dried beans and barley from the winter pair so perfectly with the springy mint pesto for a dish that feels like opening the window the first time after