Pinto

/ˈpɪntoʊ/ noun

Definition

A horse or pony with patches of white and another color (usually brown or black); also a type of bean used in cooking.

Etymology

From Spanish pinto, meaning 'spotted' or 'painted.' The word came to English through Spanish-speaking regions of North America, originally describing Native American horses with mixed coloring.

Kelly Says

Pinto horses were actually the result of Spanish horses breeding with Native American mustangs—the spotted patterns came from a recessive gene that became more visible in the free-ranging herds. In cooking, pinto beans are packed with protein and have been a staple in Mexican and Southwestern cuisine for centuries!

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