dissapointed with broad beans

[Protea]

Have to admit i think this is the first time i've used this board!

I grew 2 varieties of broad bean this year as an experiment, i've never grown them before and i don't think i've eaten them fresh before either (My father for some reason never grew them at home).

I was so excited at our first harvest and promptly overcooked them in the microwave yuk! second attempt i lightly boiled them (for like 60 seconds) and still didn't like the taste (a bit bitter and rubbery?).

I picked some more yesterday - any suggestions?
Or - should i let the pods mature and use them dried in casseroles instead if i still don't like the 'fresh' taste?

[rustylady]

How big were the beans? I never use a microwave! Steam, boil or stirfry for as short a time as possible until they are tender. However, if your beans are big (with dark scars where they were attached to the pod) you will never make them tender. You need to pick them young.

[Hazel at the Hill]

Can only speak from this my first year, Protea, but, what I've found is that pods up to about 4" in length can be cooked whole, but bigger than this they start to taste 'furry'.

Once the beans are about 8" long I've started to shell them, and the beans are the size of big peas - they cook (boil) in about 2 mins and just melt in your mouth! I've just picked about a skip full of this size and blanched and frozen them, because....

If the beans are about 1", boil for about 3 mins then leave them to cool a bit a 'squirt' them out of their greyish 'jackets' - as they might start to taste a bit floury if they are this big. This is a fiddle, so suggest you harvest them a bit smaller next time round!

[Alice]

Jings. Now I'm worriied. My broad beans are still at flowering stage. Never grown them before but have bought them (expensive) . Hope when I get my beans I'll find a way to cook them successfully. Won't be using a mirowave.

[mrs potato head]

I cooked BBeans for the first time in ages last night they arrived in a veg box l had ordered .I boiled them for a couple of minutes then caramelized them usind butter and garlic. Fantastic.
one of the kids even ate the.
will try more for salad which l plan to marinade in Wholegrain mustard and orange juice!.

[Protea]

Cheers all for the replies - will take a picture of how big the beans were (they looked the right size for harvesting, but having said that i have nothing to guage that by!!). Perhaps i need to harvest when smaller - i always assumed you had to shell broad beans - i didn't think of eating the pods whole

[terrier]

Perhaps i need to harvest when smaller - i always assumed you had to shell broad beans - i didn't think of eating the pods whole

A little off thread , but my favs are runner beans picked very young. Cook the pod whole. Best tasting of the lot.

[Hazel at the Hill]

Jings. Now I'm worriied. My broad beans are still at flowering stage. Never grown them before but have bought them (expensive) . Hope when I get my beans I'll find a way to cook them successfully. Won't be using a mirowave.

Whenever I've had shop bought (as a nipper) they have been 'orrible - big beans and v floury when cooked. THat's why I couldn't believe how sweet and creamy (not the best dscription, I know!) the little beans have been!

It's certainly worth picking a few at 'french bean' size to cook whole, Alice, as the pods taste great - and I'm betting you will have lots to leave to pick when the beans in the pods are 'big pea' size - scrummy!

Not sure about leaving the big jobbies to dry to store or use for next year.....

[Flummery]

I've never tried cooking them whole either - but I shall this time. My OH always wants to 'leave them a bit longer' - his dad always grew huge tough things! I like them so you can just feel the bean inside. Cook short and fast - whooo, can't wait!

[moggssue]

I was planning to wait until I could shell my broad beans and eat the big beans without the shell, the way you get them from the greengrocer, about half inch long. Reading this thread, maybe thats not the best way to enjoy them?

[Flummery]

I usually shell them moggsue - but don't leave them to get huge like they do in the shops. Once the pods start to go nobbly and get brown mottles they're well past it - you could save them for seed though.

[Headfry]

you have got me thinking......
cooked ham joint, new potatoes and broad beans in parsley sauce....heaven on a plate!

[moggssue]

Hmmm, I'm getting hungry and my beans are far toooo small even to eat whole! I shall wait until I can see signs of beans inside then shell them ... patience susan!

[sewer rat]

Alice
No need to fret, my broad beans are only at flowering stage too. We should start to catch up with our southern friends now that we have no real hours of darkness for next two weeks.

[mad_djg]

If you like BBs young you might enjoy this:

We shelled the beans, which were not much bigger than peas, and boiled for a couple of minutes and no more.

At the time also fried (using "proper" butter) onion, mushrooms and pancetta. Took the beans out the water and mixed in with the rest in the frying pan. Served.... yummy.

Derek