Allotments 4 All

I grew one lonely plant last year and I had to freeze a couple of servings as we couldn't eat enough fresh from the plant. We don't eat huge amounts as you can probably tell but they are a lovely treat.
Having said that I only had one because of slugs and this year I'll be planting more and therefore I suppose freezing more. My parents love them but they grow their own so I won't be giving any away.

If there's too many, I like to leave them to dry on the plant, then eat the seeds through the winter as I would any other pulse. I don't think freezing does them any justice. If it's of any interest, I grew 12 runner, 12 haricot and 6 of some-other-kind-of-bean, for two of us.

Geoff.

Usually grow them for the beans inside too, but tend to not let them dry, but pick green and then freeze. They need boiling, but take less time to cook that way.I do pick young beans whole for freezing too though.
Had about 8 runner bean plants, and together with different types of french beans, both climbing and dwarf - grown to freeze both whole and for the beans inside - had enough to last me through the winter and it looks like I won't run out until end of May. Family size 4 (including giving some to my mother). Space used was a bed about 4 ft wide by about 25 ft long.

Having never eaten them before this year i must confess I think they are amazing so will be growing more this year.

First year I had six plants. Only four were successful and produced more than enough for the two of us (they did really well). Haven't managed quite so much since.

Anyway - what I was going to say is - I've found they freeze quite well, so don't worry about a glut. (It's lovely having homegrown beans for christmas dinner!)

I agree they aren't as nice from frozen as they are fresh but if you grow enough it save you having to buy any. I would say my frozen ones were better than the 'fresh' ones from the shops. ;D

Quote from: stuffed on April 03, 2006, 20:50:38
I would say my frozen ones were better than the 'fresh' ones from the shops. ;D

You're right. There is some questionable stuff on sale. Frozen is OK if you're steaming or boiling, but about half of my crop ends up being sautéed or stir fried, where texture is as important as taste. Personal opinion of course.

Geoff.

 ::)  How rubbish am I?  After all your help I started my runner beans today in loo rolls - got incredibly carried away :-[ and as I do like things to be even ..  and 12 loo rolls wasn't enough to fill up the seed tray....I now have 24 plants started .. :o  I am now preparing myself for a glut of runner beans  ;)

LL2 x

Oops! :o
(been there, done that ;))

I wonder what runner bean wine's like ;D

Geoff.

Is there any good wine made out of greens?
If there is I'm sure it'll be runner beans. They're just great. (IMHO)

Dunno about that , but I do have a recipe for Carrot Whisky.......

;D

Carrot Whisky?!!!!! Divulge recipe immediately!

;)

Like carrot cake bit it gets you drunk?? Sounds like heaven....

I haven't made it yet - but this is courtesy of a lovely chap on another message board - and I'm sure he won't mind me sharing it.  He said it turns out more like a liqueur - and is very nice!

LL2x

Ingredients

6lbs carrots
4lbs sugar
1 gallon water
¾ lb chopped raisins
2 lemons
2 oranges
1lb clean wheat
1oz yeast

Method

1. Wash carrots and boil in the gallon of water until tender
2. Strain onto the lemons and oranges (sliced).
3. Add the 4lbs of sugar
4. Stir until dissolved
5. When cool, add the raisins, wheat and yeast.
6. Leave in bucket to ferment for 12 - 15 days
7. Skim, strain and bottle. Fit airlock.

erm, it sounds so simple  :o :-\ :o