Eating runner bean beans

[HeyWayne]

Can you do it?

I cooked some French beans today, but they were inedible - leathery and just not nice. I've fallen foul of time again and missed the boat in terms of harvesting in time.

Rather than throw the beans away (runners as well as French), can I just pod them and eat the beans from within?

[binley100]

I've only just started harvesting my runners (problems earlier in the year) and they are fine although OH was convinced they'd be stringy. I'm not sure but I think if you just want to eat the beans once they are mature you might have to treat them as dried beans......now waiting for T-S to put me right

[Alison]

You can definitely eat French bean beans, loads of people on here do although I prefer either pods or dried rather than the inbetween stage. Never tried runner bean beans but don't see why not.

[Shadylane]

I hope so cos I'm leaving loads of ours to dry for that purpose. Pretty sure we had a few last year too. I think as with all shelled beans (if they're mature-ish) you have to rapid boil them for ten mins to destroy the toxin, so as not to give you stomach upset. Two Sheds will no doubt advise further.

[coreopsis]

Last year I ate Painted Lady runner-I missed the picking time,pods were tough and stringy but beans inside were delicious.Go for it.
TS admitted growing White Emergo(runner) for shelling.

[Two_Sheds]

You can definitely eat French bean beans

Yep, they're called kidney beans (not all kidney beans are red, that's just the ones that're marketed to us).

This is a lovely page of bean pron

I think as with all shelled beans (if they're mature-ish) you have to rapid boil them for ten mins to destroy the toxin

Yes, you should. Some people will say they've "always" eaten raw beans with no problems, but "kidney bean poisoning" is very unpleasant (I've had it. Severe stomach cramps, thought I was giving birth to Alien)
Even phaseolus coccineus (runner bean) contains the lectin Pfaf Plant Search

[Hilary B]

I remember my Mum, when preparing runner beans, there were always a few pods that were over-mature and fibrous, and Mum simply took the beans out and cooked them with the normal sliced ones. Mum said she liked those, I wasn't keen then, but I've done it since and they were OK.
Two-Sheds, how long do you leave the beans on the plant for dried beans? Do they have to go completely dry, or can I pick them when they are just very fat?
We go away on Sunday and some of our beans are still green (but definitely past the slicing stage).

[Two_Sheds]

how long do you leave the beans on the plant for dried beans? Do they have to go completely dry, or can I pick them when they are just very fat?

Completely brown & crispy for sowing/storing, or fat & leathery for shelly beans (which can freeze, and cook with no soaking)

I'm picking my beans when they start to go paler and you can feel the beans inside, then drying them off in the gh. It's been raining since the end of July, so they won't be ripening on the canes, but I'll leave them as long as poss (end of the month)

[Croila]

I had loads of White Emergo runner beans this summer and I've only ever steamed them - I've never actually taken the beans out of the pods.

What I'd do is zip the tattie peeler up either side just to take the strings off, slice them into one inch pieces, then steam them for about ... hmmm ... maybe about eight minutes?

Eat with a dod of butter on top of them and they are AMAZING. I'm gutted the crop's done now! I'm going to rip the bean plants down this weekend and put the canes away. Can't wait to start growing them again next year!

[Hilary B]

I had loads of White Emergo runner beans this summer and I've only ever steamed them - I've never actually taken the beans out of the pods.

What I'd do is zip the tattie peeler up either side just to take the strings off, slice them into one inch pieces, then steam them for about ... hmmm ... maybe about eight minutes?

Eat with a dod of butter on top of them and they are AMAZING. I'm gutted the crop's done now! I'm going to rip the bean plants down this weekend and put the canes away. Can't wait to start growing them again next year!

If they get over-mature, the pods are fibrous and not-so-nice, THEN you may want to take the beans out of the pods.
I tend to 'string' runners the way my Mum did (see what will pull away when top-and-tailing) if there is too much 'string' they need taking out of the pods! (and if there isn't much 'string' they don't need the sides doing at all)

[quark1]

I've also met the 'point' at which they are inedible without strings/fibrous god knows whats!

Having palmed off some (before I knew-honest injuns!) to my 'ex' and family - big embarassment! - I have decided to let whats left to go to 'seed' and become next year's 'givers'.

They do become very fibrous when past that 'perfect' point. 'Course we all love bigguns - but half-way done seems to be best for me at least. Not so impressive to view - but MUCH BETTER eating. Yes I'll be growing next year - but with the knowlege I've gained this.

[Croila]

Hmmmm, I pick them when they're fairly big, maybe about 8-10 inches long. And I've not found them "fibrous" or tough or anything - they've been fine. But that said, I really REALLY don't fancy them without taking the sides off!

*sigh*

Still so disappointed they're done now and I've not got any in the freezer

[HeyWayne]

I think I need a bigger freezer.

[Croila]

Ohhhhh ... I am so envious! *sigh*

[HeyWayne]

Ok, here we are.

I have a bag each of Madeira Maroon, Bridgewater and (yep, third variety has fallen foul of my inability to remember three things...).

Now, do I shell/freeze the lot and use them as and when in stews/casseroles etc?

Or, do I dry some too(over and above what I'll dry for sowing next year).