Recipe: Green Beans with Tomatoes (Fagiolini Verdi Al Pomodoro)

Green Beans with Tomatoes (Fagiolini Verdi Al Pomodoro)
Serves 6-8

2 pounds green beans
4 tablespoons olive oil
2 cloves garlic, slightly mashed
1 pound chopped peeled tomatoes
1/2 teaspoon sage, crumbled
salt and pepper
6 to 8 black olives, chopped or sliced

Rinse and trim the beans. Cook in just enough lightly salted boiling water to cover. When the beans are barely tender, drain and reserve. Heat the oil in a large saucepan and saute the garlic until golden, then discard it. Add the tomatoes, sage, salt, and pepper to taste. Bring to a rapid simmer and cook, stirring frequently, for 10 minutes. Stir in the beans, reduce heat, and simmer gently until the beans are tender and the sauce has thickened slightly. Add the olives just in time for them to heat through before serving.