Beans are uncomplicated vegetables that thrive in this country. Just a few plants can give us a rich harvest. The valuable pods can wait in the freezer until we can enjoy them.

Beans are also delicious when defrosted

Best time for freezing

Summer, with the months of July and August, is the main harvest time for many local bean varieties. The rich harvest also causes market prices to tumble. Now is the best time to buy beans of any kind cheaply and freeze them for the rest of the year. Your own harvest surplus can also be used sensibly in this way.

Prepare bean pods

Freshly picked bean pods should go into the freezer without waiting in time, provided they are intended for them. But before they find their place in it, they must first be prepared as follows:

  • select only undamaged and healthy pods
  • Clean beans under running water
  • Break off or cut off inedible ends by hand
  • Cut or break the pods into bite-sized pieces

Blanch or not?

Blanching is common practice when it comes to freezing many types of vegetables. The advantages of this extra work are obvious:

  • color loss is reduced
  • Taste is preserved
  • Vitamins are mostly preserved
  • Germ load is reduced
  • the consistency after thawing is better

While these benefits speak for themselves, many people still choose to freeze beans unblanched. This saves a lot of working time and should only affect the taste insignificantly.

This is how beans are blanched

  1. Bring salted water to a boil in a large saucepan.
  2. Meanwhile, get another large pot of ice water ready.
  3. Cook the beans for about three minutes, then scoop them out with a ladle.
  4. Place the beans in the ice water to cool.
  5. Remove the beans immediately after they have cooled and drain on a towel.
  6. Place the dried beans in suitable freezer containers.
  7. Place the sealed and labeled freezer containers in the freezer.

tips

If beans are intended for making salads, you should finish cooking the pieces before freezing.

durability

Frozen beans can be kept for nine months at minus 18 degrees Celsius.

thawing and use

If beans are used for cooking, they do not need to be thawed beforehand. They can be put directly from the freezer into the pan or saucepan. Note, however, that their cooking time will be shorter compared to fresh specimens due to blanching.

Beans for salads can be gently thawed in the refrigerator. However, if they weren't fully cooked before freezing, they need to be done now.

Conclusion for fast readers

  • Frost suitability: All types of beans are well suited for storage in the freezer
  • Best time: July and August when there is a bountiful harvest and market prices are low
  • Preparation: Select and wash only undamaged and healthy pods
  • Preparation: Remove the pod ends and cut the beans into bite-sized pieces
  • Blanch: 3 minutes in boiling salted water; then quench in ice water
  • Tip: Finish cooking beans for salads before freezing
  • Filling: Fill the cooled and drained beans into freezer containers and label them
  • Shelf life: At minus 18 degrees Celsius, the shelf life is nine months
  • Defrost: Defrost gently in the refrigerator or add directly to the cooking food and continue cooking

The garden journal freshness ABC

How can fruit and vegetables be stored correctly so that they stay fresh for as long as possible?

The garden journal freshness ABC as a poster:

  • as a free PDF file to print out yourself

Category:

Vegetable garden