borlotti beans...

[queen of the cobs]

I've got a huge amount of them - can anyone give me advice on how to dry them so I can keep them?

If not, best send me your recipes!

[zazen999]

I was going to dry them - and the pinto beans I am growing. but, I think I'll just freeze them instead; I don't think I can be bothered to soak and boil them before cooking with them.

Otherwise, don't you leave them on the plant until they start to dry out, then pod them and leave to dry out naturally???

[stanhol]

There is a lot of seed saving information on the Real Seeds uk site. Excellant help if it isnt already on the website.

Good Luck Sandra

[hypnophil]

I have some and dont know what to do with them,
Can the pod be eaten too or do they need de-podding?
And what are good ways to eat-use them?
Thanks

[zazen999]

I cook mine in with rice and put them in curries etc. The Pinto beans are purely for chillis. They are coming on nicely at the moment.

You can eat the pods, but really only when they are young. As soon as the beans are turning reddish [the pods start losing the greenish hue] the pods are a little tough for me. So I turf them out of the pods and freeze or toss them straight into rice or whatever meal I am making.

[Two_Sheds]

I eat beans with most of my dinners (I'm veggie, and they are excellent protein).
Fresh beans sliced and stir fried.
Flageolet (when the beans have formed but not dried) are podded, boiled for 10 mins then tossed in salad dressing (discard pods, they'll be stringy)
Dried beans are soaked in cold water overnight and simmered for an hour before use. You can do this in big batches and freeze them. Add to winter soups & stews.

[Flummery]

I've just picked some to eat as shelly beans (as the Americans call them. Very descriptive!) Shell them and boil. Doesn't take as long as soaking and cooking so I'm going to shell them and bung some bags in the freezer. New idea for me but it looks like a winner.

[hypnophil]

great, i will pod some and put in rice,
thanks guys you're all so wonderfully knowledgeable!!

[Flummery]

Chop one of your onions, fry gently, add some chopped pork steak, fry a litle till it's sealed, stick in a casserole with some stock and the shelly borlottis and any other veg you fancy - I did carrots. Give it an hour or so, thicken the sauce a bit and you have a fantastic meal (if you add chips! - I did and I've been asked for it to be a regular - hope I sowed enough borlottis!)

[Two_Sheds]

Flum, those Serbian beans you sent me are doing brilliantly ... we've been having them as Borlottis in just about everything (I tend to stir fry a selection of veg, covered in sauce so Mr Sheds can't spot the Chard)

[Flummery]

They came originally from Pigletwillie, Two Sheds. I've got loads in my garden - they are good aren't they?