Broad bean question

[noviceveggrower]

Hi,

I don't know if this is in the right section so if not please feel free to move

Well my broad beans have got chocolate spot on and its spreading quickly. My bread beans are virtually ready to pick. I have picked a couple of pods and they are fine but in a couple the beans have a bit of green on them as if they could do with a week or so more.
I am just wondering are the beans that have a little bit of green on ok to eat still? I usually boil or put them in a casserole but do have a steamer I can put them in.
Feel a bit of a muppet asking but I've never had chocolate spot before so was just wondering about the beans as I've usually left them on a bit longer.
Thanks

[veggiechicken]

I'm not sure what you mean but I pick my beans really young, when they're totally green, and eat them, pods and all if they're not too furry inside.
Don't think a "bit of green" will make them inedible!!

[sparrow100]

Like VC says, they are ok to eat when they are v young - we do the same and eat them pod and all when they are quite small. I don't bother cooking them quite often at that stage, just munch on them while wandering around the plot.

[PyreneesPlot]

I'm not a pod muncher like this lot, but do pick the beans young and green.
Mine were chocolate spotted and dug up and the beans frozen a month ago.

[crannman]

had a great crop of broad beans long pod if I remember the longer pods need the beans pealing but smaller ones don't .didn't think of eating pods too

[Greenleaves]

Same as here, love the young beans, pods and all chopped in salads....leave them too long they become tough

[noviceveggrower]

Sorry would of replied sooner but kids flattened the laptop battery and didn't tell me.
I've never eaten baby broad beans or the pods never really knew you could. So I've always eaten them mature and a creamy colour. Just some of my beans aren't all that creamy colour. As long as they are ok to eat I'll get a load more picked before the chocolate spot takes over.
Thanks everyone

[Alison]

I think they've gone over when they go cream as the skins of the beans are tough then so you have to desk in them (which I'm too lazy to do). I pick when the beans are that beautiful bright green but don't like the pods.

[Noosner]

I didn't know you could eat the pods either. Will try that next year. Have tried some different varieties this year and noticed that the beans from Imperial Green Longpod really are green! Whereas Witkiem, which have great fat pods, are almost white. Both delicious of course. Good luck with your harvesting NVG. At least if you are harvesting a bit earlier than normal there is more time for something else to get going in the new space.