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Freezing runner beans

TootlesTootles Posts: 1,469
in Fruit & veg

hello - have just picked lots of runners with the intention of freezing some.  Have read mixed things on what best to do with them first, from not cleaning at all to blanching them in boiling water. Anyone know what to do! Can I just wash them and put them in freezer bags? Do I need to chop them up? 

Thanks ever so!

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  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,139

    Prepare them as you would for cooking i.e. top, tail and remove strings, then slice as you like them.

    Then you can blanch them in boiling water for 2 mins before cooling quickly, packing and freezing.

    They can be frozen without freezing, but they won't keep as long and the texture will not be as good.


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • TootlesTootles Posts: 1,469

    Brill! Thanks ever so much. Id have just bunged them in whole! 

    Gosh runny - yours are lovely looking, nice and straight. Mine are a bit more...errrrr....curly wurley like!

     

  • TootlesTootles Posts: 1,469

    All done! From plant to freezer in just over an hour. Delighted! About enough for the two of us for four meals.

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117

     

     

    Dovefromabove wrote (see)

    They can be frozen without freezing, but they won't keep as long and the texture will not be as good.


    Did you mean frozen without blanching Dove?  imageimage

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,139

    Duh!  image  


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • TootlesTootles Posts: 1,469

    I did jo47. I was tempted to have a go as Rachel De Thame seemed so taken with them. However......no jars left! All full of jam!! 

    Have you had a go at them?

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117

    I don't like runner beans Tootles, so I won't be trying it  image image

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • TootlesTootles Posts: 1,469

    Juniper berries too, I think... I'll try and find it on iplayer...

  • TootlesTootles Posts: 1,469
    Bingo! Here you go Runny.... Bath WI Kitty Lambah’s recipe for pickled runner beans

    12oz runner beans
    3/4lb granulated sugar
    1 pint cider vinegar
    1 teaspoon juniper berries
    Fresh ginger
    Mint sprigs

     

    • Top, tail, de-string and cut the runner beans to desired length;
    • Pour cider vinegar into a pan and warm through gently;
    • Keeping the pan on simmer add the sugar, stirring until fully dissolved;
    • Add prepared runner beans and the juniper berries to the sugar vinegar and simmer until just tender, approximately  8 minutes; 
    • Drain the beans and pack them into pre-sterilised pickling jars;
    • Pour the sugar vinegar (with or without the juniper berries) over the beans covering their tops;
    • Peel the ginger.  Lightly bruise by gently bashing the ginger with a rolling pin.  Cut into quarters; 
    • Add a section of ginger and some fresh mint to each jar;
    • Seal, label and leave for 2 weeks before opening;
    • Refrigerate after opening.  Should last for at least one month in the fridge;
    • Serve with cold meats, cheese or leftovers
  • TootlesTootles Posts: 1,469

    No problem. Let us know how you get on Runny. I'll have a go too once the jar shortage has been overcome!

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