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we have loads of runner beans from our alottment and preparing them for the freezer is becoming a pain- my fingers are getting quite sore ! I have one of those 'push the bean though and it strings and slices' gadgets, great, it does the job fine, but after doing a bagfull my fingers ache. Has anyone used or got an electric gadget for doing this? Ive had a look on the internet and no joy yet. There is a turn the handle type but it only slices, no stringing.
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Sorry, I still do mine the old fashioned way with a sharp knife. -
We pick em young (no string) and i cut em with scissors while watching TV.
I have found scissors best with my having dicky arthritic hands.
rogerComment
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I had enough trouble finding a shop that sold the manual versions (i know i should have looked online but i try to use proper shops when i can!!)
An electric one sounds good.
I find my manual one takes too much off the sides, it removes the string but also quite a bit off good eating flesh!
I only have two large pots with 'Hestia' dwarf runners but we are picking every other day, the freezer is full of broad beans and fishing bait so we have them for tea every other day - no one seems to mind!
good luck on your quest.<*}}}>< Jonathan ><{{{*>Comment
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next door neighbour told me he uses a veg peeler to take the strings off.
I'm with roger though, pick them before they're stringy. Is there a particular reason for slicing into tiny bits? I just cut them in long diamonds if that makes sense, or short fat chunky ones.Comment
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had loads this year too
we pick them young (so no string) and whilst still fresh from picking (within normally 2 hours) i snap them to required length, like snapping a pencil
no blanching, straight into the ice tray of the freezer then freezer bag them when frozen, normally 4-6 hours
if you do have some larger beans then snapping normally reveals any string which you grab and peel down manually....simplesComment
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Like above, I pick them young so no string, and slice them with a knife: nothing pretty, just chunksAll gardeners know better than other gardeners." -- Chinese Proverb.Comment
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I tried chunks, and diamonds but when i was little we always had little slices, i guess its just tradition, the kids like them too!<*}}}>< Jonathan ><{{{*>Comment
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I prefer them sliced long , also the kids eat them whereas if they are in diamonds they don't .......S*d the housework I have a lottie to dig
a batch of jam is always an act of creation ..Christine Ferber
You can't beat a bit of garden pornComment
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Since I bought the bean slicer they have become known as "posh" beans in this form and as Binley says, the children like them better. Before the slicer, I used to cut with scissors like Roger. I think the moral here is pick while young before they get stringy, then it will be easier for you to put them through the slicer.Granny on the Game in SheffieldComment
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Just had another thought GS. Why don't you string them with a knife before you put them through the slicer?Granny on the Game in SheffieldComment
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how about this one? not electric though...
actually, ignore that one, bad reviews, have a look here instead....
http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_...slicer&x=0&y=0Last edited by taff; 18-08-2011, 12:24 PM.Comment
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That won't work, the slicer will cut the sides off anyway and you'll lose even more. I have one of those slicer things and it works well but I rarely use it as I prefer my veggies more chunky. Only use if for the runners that I'm going to salt as it works better for them. Manual one though and I have ended up cutting my thumb on it when pushing through the last of the bean.Originally posted by Florence Fennel View Post
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?Comment
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The Schulte one looks the best there but it is the most expensive!Originally posted by taff View Post
Schulte Metal Bean Slicer with Stainless Steel Blade- boxed: Amazon.co.uk: Kitchen & HomeComment
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I've just been [not a pun honest!] browsing ebay, they have some spong runner bean slicers on there. I found a spong mincer in a skip a few years ago, with a suction pad, cleaned it up, been using it since then and it's fab. So really, I'd probably reccommend one of those if it's working...Comment
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