Grow Your Own Magazine

Hi,

Over the past week we've had 5kg (11lb) of French beans... for two adults & a toddler! Now I do like beans but not THAT much

After giving some to friends and family and freezing some we still have loads in the fridge and god know how much more to come.

So... does any one have ideas on different ways of preserving them - pickles, relishes, jam(!) or anything else that can be stuck in a freezer so maybe things like soups.

In a trip to an alternate reality I've already seemed to suggest that I'll try making some wine with them

Cheers,

Derek

Oops... just spotted I put this in the wrong section ... could some kind mod please move it to "making the most of" Thanks

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http://madallotment.blogspot.com/ - updated 19/08/2007

I don't really like them fresh, so I am leaving mine on plant to dry out, to add to soups, stews, chilli, whatever. You have the work of shelling them all as opposed to picking every day fresh, but its a pleasant job of an autumn evening with a glass of sherry !

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~ What do I think of Western civilisation? I think it would be a very good idea ~ Gandhi

There is a Delia recipe for runner bean pickle in the recipe section I think (or is it on the BBC website?)

I'm just jealous you've got something bean like to eat in any quantity.

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Bright Blessings
Earthbabe
If at first you don't succeed, open a bottle of wine.

Have got a recipe somewhere for them cooked with tomatoes that freezes well and is really tasty. Can't find it at the moment but will try and post tomorrow.

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Some of us live in the past, always talking about back then. Some of us live in the future, always planning what we are going to do. And, then there are those, who neither look behind or ahead, but just enjoy the moment of right now.

Which one are you and is it how you want to be?

Hello Mad djg, if you've got as many beans as that you could shell them and freeze the beans. Shell the beans from the pods, spread the beans on a tray, put the tray of beans in the freezer til frozen, tip the beans into a freezer bag and clip closed. Use as for beans. Bean stew is lovely, or make garlic and bean pate. A favourite in this house.

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From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs.

I have a recipe for runner bean wine.I dare say it would work with French beans as well.

I've picked 8 beans so far!!!!

Last year I chopped them with the excess of tomatoes, onions and courgettes, and froze them (chopped)in 1lb bags- perfect on toast for lunch in the winter!!

NO toms this year, and so far just male flowers on my courgettes!!!
Onions rotting!

Count yourself lucky and tuck in- loads of garlic, cream, crumbled bacon and a bottle of yummy wine.....sorted!!

Nicos - your toasty recipe sounds yummy, cant wait to actually get some beans and red toms to try it with!
Alice - garlic and bean pate? Sounds great, I suspect there's more to it than just mashing into a paste?!
Mad - what variety are your beans? I'm not doing at all well with mine this year, plants grow but refuse to fruit so far.

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Life may not be the party we hoped for but since we're here we might as well dance

Well Grapes... I found the recipe EB suggested : http://www.deliaonline.com/recipes/s...s,1290,RC.html

First lot was processed on the 5th August. Recipe suggested to leave at least a month before opening.... so of course today there was no option... just had to open one.

Fantastic! Sweet, sour, spicy.... we had to stop ourselves eating the whole jar

Now I'm not a stickler for all of the "rules" around food and wine so this may be a total no no to any "expert" out there but I can't wait to try this with some really strong cheese and a glass of vintage port....

Pleased to say we've also got 6 jars worth of the runner bean variety....

Also done some wine as well - it was racked off last week and is now starting to clear - a gorgeous golden colour (probably due to the sultanas added for body).

Mogssue - sorry didn't spot your question before (I read far too quickly). The variety was 'Masterpiece'. Although not F1 seemed to have a very short flowering period but with an absolute mass of beans. I've also got two varieties from the HSL - MR Fearneys purple climbing & brightstone - both seem to have a much more prolonged flowering period but without the massive hit all at once.

Derek

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http://madallotment.blogspot.com/ - updated 19/08/2007

what's your secret? I sowed three lots of Masterpiece, finally got half a dozen weedy plants off them, all chewed up by slugs. Not a single bean from any of them.Sungold was rubbish too. My Cosse, Barlotta, Canadian Wonder, Cherokee etc are all terrific ...

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~ What do I think of Western civilisation? I think it would be a very good idea ~ Gandhi

I always start my Frenchies under fleece to give them a bit of protection until they are established!

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My Majesty made for him a garden anew in order
to present to him vegetables and all beautiful flowers.- Offerings of Thutmose III to Amon-Ra (1500 BCE)

I always start my slugs under fleece to give them a bit of protection until they are established!

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~ What do I think of Western civilisation? I think it would be a very good idea ~ Gandhi

Thanks Derek - may give them a go next year, under the fleece I'm hoping Father Christmas will send me (sorry to use the 'c' word by the way all!).

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Life may not be the party we hoped for but since we're here we might as well dance