Hi
I'm pretty sure somewhere in the bottom of the message bag that is Allotments 4 All, there are already threads about this. But if there are I didn't find them. So forgive me for asking what has probably already been asked!
We got bored eating green runner beans, pods and all. And so I left the rest to mature to full beans. But I've never grown beans like this before - how can I tell when to pod and cook them?
I read you leave the pods of broad beans to pop open before eating. Should I wait for my runners to do the same?
Let them dry on the vine and store in a dry place after leaving out to dry even more.
When you want to use them, for example in a casserole, soak them overnight in water.
http://allaboutallotments.com/index.html
Is this the same with other beans? I have loads of Trail of Tears beans that are too stringy to eat fresh, and I was thinking of keeping them for casseroles etc. wasnt sure whether they need to dry out on the bush, or how long this takes.
Fine with trail of tears... and all french beans... leave on the plant as long as possible. Then hang up all the plant in a greenhouse or other light/dry place. Wait for the first pod to split and then they will be well dry and come out easily.
There is a risk if brought in earlier they will go mouldy. Save some for seed and give them all a week in the freezer in jars to kill any bean weevil embryo and then they can be left in the jare all year... :)
I have started to eat beans fresh ie not dried. They are very nice. Do need cooking but not very long. Some of them have good flavour this way. I wait for a nice large juicy bean. O Driscoll very good for this, very large tasty juicy beans.
I tried a few today - ones where the mature beans were clearly visible through the pod, they were greenish white, cooked them in a stew - very nice. Compared to tinned kidney or broad beans, very tasty.