In paella valenciana, ferradura is a type of what vegetable?

In paella valenciana, ferradura is a flat green bean.

The name ferradura means “horseshoe” in Valencian, referring to the bean’s curved shape. It is a long, flat green bean variety traditionally used alongside garrofó, a large white bean, in paella valenciana.

Paella valenciana developed in the Valencia region, especially around the Albufera wetlands, where rice farming supplied the dish’s central ingredient. Early cooks used ingredients available near the fields, including beans, tomatoes, snails, rabbit and sometimes duck or chicken. Seafood is associated with a different regional style, paella de marisco.

A common mix-up is confusing ferradura with lima bean. Lima beans are usually represented by garrofó in the traditional recipe; ferradura is the green bean component. Artichokes can appear as a seasonal addition, but they are not what the word ferradura identifies.