In all the homes of the peasant families I have known, there was always, in the open fireplace, a terra cottapignatta full of beans placed on the fire, surrounded by ashes. The legumes were an important part of their nutrition.
They used a scorgiato and wooden forks to shuck the beans; and for the chick peas, lentils and chickling peas too. The legumes were indispensable for their sustenance: they ate them almost every day. (From the book, Nonna Rosa by Don Remo Serafini).
Hence, once considered frugal, legumes today are now rated a delicious meal.