The normal way - uncooked - is to twist inch by inch along the pod?
Tedious!
Just found a new way - just 'unzip' with a peeler.
Neat !!!
I tend to snap the end open (or off) and insert my finger or thumb and run down. I often do this when actually on the plot, so the pods don't have to be carried back.
If you zip down the edge with a peeler does it stop your fingers going black?
I have resorted to wearing gloves as I can't go to work woth broad bean stained fingers!
Haven't really thought about that. If you pushed them out with a small instrument, I would say yes!
Curry - yes, but I find so many are un-runnable, & you end up having to twist each bean out. We're eating them whole for as long as we can to dodge the issue.
I'm growing broad beans for the first time - the dwarf variety and they are producing loads now altho I was late getting them in.
I'm wearing my thin latex gloves to de-pod them, usually by the twisting method as Tim describes...no stained fingers, thank goodness ;)
H.P.
Tim, you say you are eating the broad beans whole, as in sugar snap peas?
What do they taste like? It is one of those things that every year we say we will try, but to date have never got round to. Basically, we have had mixed reports, some people who also have never tried them, assume that they will be very bitter. We don't grow many, so would not want to waste what valuable crop we get on something we didn't enjoy.
Any info would be gratefully received.
valmarg
I've never had a bitter bean this way valmarg :P
I've been eating them a little bigger (they got away!) and they're still lovely.
Here they are topped and tailed and ready for the steamer. Ten minutes max, and they're done!
(http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e220/supersprout/toppedandtailed.jpg)
what a lovely picture S.S.......and are those purple & white pods....a variety of mange tout?
I ate my first tiny ones also 'in the pods' just to try them but was a bit disappointed in the flavour...maybe because I don't use any salt in cooking (have to watch my b/p so cut salt out completely a couple of years back)...felt I needed something 'on them' so drizzled balsamic vinegar over them....I guess lots of you put butter on them :P
Thank you HP, yes those are seed swap mangetout in front.
I steamed mine, and just eat them NUDE - no salt, no nothing - but lukewarm ::)
Thanks supersprout.
We 'bit the bullet' and steamed a few bean pods. They really are delicious. Your recommendation made us try a few. We really should have had the courage to try them earlier.
Certainly we shall be steaming them again.
Thanks again,
valmarg
Value for money & no podding!!
PS The ones that I 'unzipped' above were some for the pot which I thought might have a bit of 'string' - so I was being ultracareful.
Quote from: valmarg on June 30, 2006, 20:05:24
We 'bit the bullet' and steamed a few bean pods. They really are delicious. Certainly we shall be steaming them again.
So pleased you took the plunge and enjoyed them valmarg :) You'll never see them in the shops! If you spread the word about those yummy baby broadies more folk might start growing their own :P ;D
;) ;) ;) Yummiest raw broad beans: eaten along with thick Italian or Spanish salami and cheese like Manchego, served with lots of red wine!!! Plus good company = heaven! :P :P :P ;D
right, good company sorted, off to the deli then, it's too hot to resist temptation :P :P :P ;D
Thanks Tim -
:) I have just used you unzipping method - fanastic - so much quicker. It was especially good on the really sticky ones covered in blackfly.
Many thanks ;)
Blackfly? So you weren't out there at 5am with a water jet??
Looks like liquorice sticks? Yuk!!