Storing and cooking french beans - advice please!

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by elaine rickett on October 14, 2011 at 15:49

Hi Caro - if you want to save them for seed, l would leave them in the pods, bring them indoors to dry out somewhere warm.  Once they are dry store in an airtight container.  If using to eat, soak them overnight before use.  You could store the whole plant with the beans on and hang them somewhere to dry out more naturally.

Is that any help?

Permalink Reply by Caro on October 14, 2011 at 17:58

Yes, thanks Elaine.  To clarify: if saving the pods for seed, dry them off then store the whole pods in a container?  I think I'm more interested in using the beans (out of the pods) for eating.  Can I dry them in the whole pods, perhaps by stringing them like chilli peppers, and then take the beans out when the pods are dry, store the beans and eat when ready, after soaking?  Sorry to be so dense, usually the case with me when it's my first time!  

elaine rickett said:

Hi Caro - if you want to save them for seed, l would leave them in the pods, bring them indoors to dry out somewhere warm.  Once they are dry store in an airtight container.  If using to eat, soak them overnight before use.  You could store the whole plant with the beans on and hang them somewhere to dry out more naturally.

Is that any help?

Permalink Reply by Caro on October 14, 2011 at 18:08

Elaine, I've just found Flighty's reply to Donna C's question on seed saving for runner beans.  The link provides the answer to my question of the seed beans and eating beans being one and the same. As my pods on the plant are still a bit squishy, I think I'll have to find somewhere to hang the plants to dry - possibly my shed as I don't have a garage.