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Borlotti beans

Angie19Angie19 Posts: 3
in Fruit & veg
I have a bumper crop of borlotti beans and can’t remember when to harvest and how to store, cook etc?  Any help would be appreciated.  Don’t want to dry them unless necessary. 

Posts

  • steephillsteephill Posts: 2,841
    You can eat the young pods like runner beans or wait until the beans develop fully before harvesting. Ideally you would let the pods dry on the vine before harvesting and storing but you can take them earlier and freeze the fresh beans. Just as with other beans they should be boiled to remove toxins before further cooking in soups, stews etc.
  • Angie19Angie19 Posts: 3
    Thanks for this. 👏👏
  • REMF33REMF33 Posts: 731
    Tagging onto the end of this... Mine were/are very late and I don't think they are really ready to harvest - I was growing them to dry.
    Should I pick them, given how wet and autumnal it now is,or is it ok to leave them longer? 

    Taken on Wednesday:


     




  • CharlotteFCharlotteF Posts: 337
    If the plants are still healthy they'll still be ripening the seed, even if the weather is pants. Keep an eye on frost forecasts obviously but I'd think you have a good few weeks longer to swell the beans up before harvest.
  • Angie19Angie19 Posts: 3
    I harvested mine to make way for my winter veg and seem fine. 
  • REMF33REMF33 Posts: 731
    Thanks. Will leave them there for a bit then as I don't really have plans for the plot. It's still pretty warm here. Apparently it will be 20 degrees on Friday. Lowest forecast night temperature is 9C.
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