Freezing fresh green beans

Jugo · 04-10-2004, 08:15 PM

Well as you all know the farmers markets and such have or will be soon starting up.... I just love fresh veggies and fruits... however when they aren't in season, I really miss them..

Anywho, my questions is... can you freeze fresh green beans? How do you do it? I asked my gram who used to be a big gardner and such... she said that she has tried many ways to freeze them (leave them whole, wash them and leave them whole, cooked them and then freeze, just clean and cut them up and then freeze) and nothing works... she says they come out tough and not worth a hoot.... So anybody out there have any ideas??

My last resort is to start canning them... Does anybody can? I know I can do it but hate to go through that if I can just freeze them...

Thanks!

Juls

Bruce · 04-10-2004, 10:59 PM

When selecting beans for freezing, choose young tender beans that are at their peak of flavor and texture. They should snap when broken. Process as quickly as possible. If the freezing process is delayed, immerse vegetables in very cold water or refrigerate in shallow pans to preserve quality and nutrients.

To freeze beans, follow these steps.

First, wash; snip off tips, and sort for size. Cut or break into suitable pieces. Small beans can be frozen whole. Next, blanch beans. There are two blanching methods.

1.Boiling water method - use one gallon of water per pound of vegetables. Bring water to a rolling boil and add vegetables. Cover and boil 3 minutes from the time you add vegetables to the water.

2.Steam blanching - put 1" of water into a kettle. Add a layer of vegetables. Cover and steam for about 4 to 4 ½ minutes.

Cool quickly in ice water. Drain completely. Extra water forms too many ice crystals.

There are also two methods for packing beans - dry or tray pack.

With the dry pack method, beans are packed tightly into containers or freezer bags in order to exclude air. If freezer bags are used, be sure to press air out of the unfilled part of the bag before sealing.

The tray pack method involves putting a single layer of beans on a shallow pan and putting the pan into the freezer. When the beans are frozen, put them into a freezer bag or container. Be sure to put beans into a sealable container
as soon as they are frozen.

Beans will maintain high quality for 12 to 18 months at 0 degrees Fahrenheit or lower. Longer storage decreases overall quality. It is best to use and enjoy the beans before the next harvest.

Twokitty · 04-13-2004, 02:59 PM

A two-part steamer kettle is so handy when putting up a few veggies at a time. I leave mine out all summer on the stove, and less messy than the boiling water bath.
Don't care for the frozen beans myself, but if you like them it's easiest. Like asparagus it's like two different vegetables, frozen and canned. I freeze asparagus, corn(used to), spinach, summer squash. For a family, it pays to purchase a pressure canner. pm me if you need info.

04-10-2004, 08:15 PM	#1
Jugo Big Yapper!!!! Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Illinois Posts: 7,569 Gallery: Jugo Stats: 278/176(162)/160 WOE: Atkins-Maintenance, BFFM Start Date: August 2002	Freezing fresh green beans Well as you all know the farmers markets and such have or will be soon starting up.... I just love fresh veggies and fruits... however when they aren't in season, I really miss them.. Anywho, my questions is... can you freeze fresh green beans? How do you do it? I asked my gram who used to be a big gardner and such... she said that she has tried many ways to freeze them (leave them whole, wash them and leave them whole, cooked them and then freeze, just clean and cut them up and then freeze) and nothing works... she says they come out tough and not worth a hoot.... So anybody out there have any ideas?? My last resort is to start canning them... Does anybody can? I know I can do it but hate to go through that if I can just freeze them... Thanks! Juls __________________ Julie-- she has her MOJO flowing!!! 5'4" Here is a link to my webpage: http://www.geocities.com/j050496/

04-10-2004, 10:59 PM	#2
Bruce MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Northern VA Posts: 3,497 Gallery: Bruce WOE: Atkins Start Date: 1 June 1999	When selecting beans for freezing, choose young tender beans that are at their peak of flavor and texture. They should snap when broken. Process as quickly as possible. If the freezing process is delayed, immerse vegetables in very cold water or refrigerate in shallow pans to preserve quality and nutrients. To freeze beans, follow these steps. First, wash; snip off tips, and sort for size. Cut or break into suitable pieces. Small beans can be frozen whole. Next, blanch beans. There are two blanching methods. 1.Boiling water method - use one gallon of water per pound of vegetables. Bring water to a rolling boil and add vegetables. Cover and boil 3 minutes from the time you add vegetables to the water. 2.Steam blanching - put 1" of water into a kettle. Add a layer of vegetables. Cover and steam for about 4 to 4 ½ minutes. Cool quickly in ice water. Drain completely. Extra water forms too many ice crystals. There are also two methods for packing beans - dry or tray pack. With the dry pack method, beans are packed tightly into containers or freezer bags in order to exclude air. If freezer bags are used, be sure to press air out of the unfilled part of the bag before sealing. The tray pack method involves putting a single layer of beans on a shallow pan and putting the pan into the freezer. When the beans are frozen, put them into a freezer bag or container. Be sure to put beans into a sealable container as soon as they are frozen. Beans will maintain high quality for 12 to 18 months at 0 degrees Fahrenheit or lower. Longer storage decreases overall quality. It is best to use and enjoy the beans before the next harvest. Last edited by Bruce; 04-10-2004 at 11:01 PM..

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04-13-2004, 02:59 PM	#3
Twokitty Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: midwest Posts: 458 Gallery: Twokitty	A two-part steamer kettle is so handy when putting up a few veggies at a time. I leave mine out all summer on the stove, and less messy than the boiling water bath. Don't care for the frozen beans myself, but if you like them it's easiest. Like asparagus it's like two different vegetables, frozen and canned. I freeze asparagus, corn(used to), spinach, summer squash. For a family, it pays to purchase a pressure canner. pm me if you need info.