Ingredients

• 1/2 cup pecan halves and pieces (2 ounces)
• 2 1/2 pounds green beans, trimmed
• 5 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1/3 cup shallot, finely chopped (about 2 medium)
• 3 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste

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Instructions

1. Heat oven to 350°F with rack in middle.
2. Spread out pecans on a rimmed sheet pan and bake in oven until pale golden on inside, about 6 to 8 minutes. Cool and coarsely chop.
3. Have ready a colander submerged in a large bowl of ice water. Cook beans in a 6- to 8-quart pot of well-salted boiling water, uncovered, until just tender, 5 to 8 minutes. Using a large slotted spoon and/or tongs, transfer beans to colander in ice water to stop cooking, then drain well and dry on towels.
4. Heat butter in a 12- to 14-inch deep heavy skillet (preferably straight-sided) over moderately high heat until foam subsides, then add shallot and cook, stirring until pale golden, 2 to 3 minutes.
5. Reduce heat to medium and stir in sugar until almost dissolved, then cook pecans, stirring, 1 minute.
6. Add green beans, kosher salt, and pepper, and sauté beans, turning them with tongs, until heated through, 2 to 4 minutes. Transfer to a platter and serve.