Drying beans

[caroline7758]

Hi everyone- my first posting on what loks like a great site! I read in another thread that borlotti beans can be left on the plant to dry. But presumably if the weather gets too wet they will get spoilt. Is there a way of drying them indoors?

[caroline7758]

[Derekthefox]

I just spread mine out on a tray and leave them on the dining table ...

Derekthefox :D

[terrace max]

But where do you eat dinner ???

[sandersj89]

Hi everyone- my first posting on what loks like a great site! I read in another thread that borlotti beans can be left on the plant to dry. But presumably if the weather gets too wet they will get spoilt. Is there a way of drying them indoors?

I have picked most of mine now and they wre put in a wire basket above the boiler for a few days until the pods were paper like.

I then podded them and put the beans in the airing cupboard for a week or so to finally dry them. Stored in glass jars.

Jerry

[Derekthefox]

I have to eat my dinner off a tray, because the table is covered with beans ...  ;D

Derekthefox :D

[terrace max]

Now that's what I call dedication!  :)

[sandersj89]

Scuse my hignorance but can I dry my tough overgrown french beans and end up with something resembling a haricot?

I'd like to be able to do that and then use them in soup

Ta

Wardy

Simple answer is yes, I  believe so.

Jerry

[Dominique]

can I dry my tough overgrown french beans and end up with something resembling a haricot?

yes once they're dry they become haricots... And you can also eat them fresh and they're called flageolets.  (Just boiled  like peas).
D

[Debs]

Thanks for asking that one Wardy!

I cooked runners for Sunday lunc but some were rather

woody :-X, so was wondering the same.

Also if using for soup when dried, do they need to be

soaked before cooking AND for how long should they be

cooked??

Debs

[Lesley Jay]

There is no need to dry borlotti beans just simply put the beans in the freezer. No need to blanch. Then use in stews etc. straight from frozen.

I am podding my over grown runner beans and using the beans in casseroles.

[Derekthefox]

My borlotti beans never get into storage. As soon as they are brought up from the allotment, they are eaten! I can never grow enough !

Derekthefox :D

[Derekthefox]

Then I certainly hope you enjoy them Wardy. Ours get cooked and cooled, then served with salad drizzled with a dash of olive oil and a sprinkling of herbs ...
... and they all get gobbled up!

Derekthefox :D

[kentishchloe]

I don't think any of my borlotti are going to last long enough to be dried either - i picked a small basket full this morning and made a pot of Tuscan bean & pasta soup for lunch - delish :P

[terrace max]

If you're borlotti fans: Seeds of Italy do a big borlotti packet which comes in a box.

BTW I think the beans of runners are basically the same as kidney beans so need boiling for 10 mins before eating....

[Andy H]

Now that's what I call dedication!   

Just too lazy to clear the table...... :-X

[terrace max]

Cynic!

[Looby Loo]

Going back to Debs question, you can dry your runner beans (I have been collecting mine as they dry out) and use them like shop-bought dried beans.  You need to soak them overnight and boil them until they are soft (15-30mins).  I haven't tried them yet but I will give it a go at the weekend.  I think you can use them like kidney beans.

[dingerbell]

One of the nicest casseroles in the world is gently sauted Chorizo sausage, shallots and 3 cloves of garlic sauted in the Chorizo oil, a tin of chopped tomatoes and a mixture of any beans you can get your hands on. Pop in the oven for an hour, sprinkle with chopped parsley and serve with lots of crusty bread and salad.....to die for!!!

[keef]

opps - bit slap happy with the keybaord - posted in wrong place

[Andy H]

So the big horrible runner beans I still have on the plants...

I can just pop out the beans into a stew
or
pop out the beans and pop straight into freezer
or
dry them out for later use in stew or growing next years plants???

or am i off track again?