french beans (borlotti)

DONNAMARIE GALLAGHER · Rank attained: Hazel Tree Joined: 09 Apr 2009 Posts: 6

Anyone any tips on harvesting and storing dwarf feench beans( borlotti). I have picked mine and dried them indoors. Just wondering if I can store them in a clean jar?

michael brenock · Posted: Thu Aug 06, 2009 6:53 pm Post subject:

I dont understand what you mean by storing dried french beans.
michael brenock Horticultural advisor (retired)

DONNAMARIE GALLAGHER · Rank attained: Hazel Tree Joined: 09 Apr 2009 Posts: 6

Sorry, I grew dwarf french beans ( borlotti) in my polytunnel. They are now ready, I have picked them and left them to dry in the house. I have now put them into a glass jar to keep until I need them. I am hoping this is the right thing to do.

michael brenock · Posted: Sun Aug 09, 2009 10:12 pm Post subject:

dwarf french beans are picked and cooked while they are still crisp and fleshy and before the seed is formed. They are cut into short lengths and it is the flesh of the pods that forms the edible part not the seed. This is a very common mistake for beginners often thinking they are treated like broad beans.
michael brenock Horticultural advisor (retired)

barremic · Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2009 3:17 pm Post subject:

Sugar, and here I was waiting for my borlotti beans to fatten up.

So it would be best to cook them now, and its not the lovely spotted beans that you get to cook up Sad

you learn something new ....

thanks Michael

molloyv · Rank attained: Hazel Tree Joined: 28 Jun 2009 Posts: 7

forest flame · Posted: Sat Aug 22, 2009 6:40 pm Post subject:

as far as i am aware they will freeze well if you have too many for immediate use

Guelder · Rank attained: Hazel Tree Joined: 20 Sep 2007 Posts: 14

Blanche and freeze is a decent way of storing them

kinvarasustainableliving · Posted: Mon Aug 24, 2009 10:13 pm Post subject:

You can of course dry them out. Once the pods are brown you can harvest, then dry them until you can't make an indentation with a finger nail. They will then store in a paper bag all winter in the cupboard and use as any dry bean, soak and cook. You can also use as seed for next year. They are good as green beans in the pod, a delicacy in Italy, or the pods themselves, Take your pick!