Broad beans

[chris]

When do you harvest them? i'm growing Suttons - some are around 4 inches long, fattening up quite nicely. Never grown them before so have no idea?

Can you eat them raw, or do you need to boil them?

I also had a load of blackfly on one bean pod - got rid- but will this be ok to eat still? Can't see any hole in the pod.

[side note podded my first peas last night - oh my gosh. amazing].

[janeyo]

The pods should be fine with the flies on.
You can pick them anytime, from really diddy to big, depends on how you like them. I don't like them raw, not sure if you an eat them that way or not. Don't suppose they would do you any harm. I boil mine, for a few mins depending on how big they are, but you could steam them too. I try to wait til mine are sort of thumb nail sized before picking

[Capsid]

If the beans get too old the part where they are connected to the pod goes black and the beans get tough and leathery. So I tend to shell them and just eat the tender green insides. It takes a bit of effort but does improve the eating pleasure. I'm sure many people are put off eating broad beans because they have eaten them with the leathery skins on.

[chris]

Oh right, I didnt know you could eat the skins? I'm looking forward to podding them

[Capsid]

Oh right, I didnt know you could eat the skins? I'm looking forward to podding them

What do you mean by the skins? I don't mean the pods although you can eat them like this when they are young. I mean the beans inside the pods which have a skin that can get leathery. I prefer to eat the beans without the skins.

[Flummery]

If they are very small you can boil them in the skins, however, I don't like them like this. When the pods feels full but isn't too lumpy is usually about right. Then pod, boil for a short while and enjoy.

[Alison]

I don't find that you need to skin the individual beans unless they get a bit big or you've stored them for a while. Freezing tends to toughen the skins though so they're definitely worth removing then. I usually just steam mine for a few minutes like I do with most of my veg, only really boil potatoes as I find that other veg seems crunchier if steamed but it's probably worth trying various ways to see what suits you.

[Flummery]

No, I don't do the double podding bit either Alison. Picked in their prime, they don't need it.

[chris]

Ahh, ok I didn't know they had skins on the beans

Thanks again!

[zazen999]

I harvest mine as the pods fall over; any earlier and they arent big enough; too long and they are too tough.

[Flummery]

Ahh, ok I didn't know they had skins on the beans

Thanks again!

Yes, but I figure that people pay folding money for added fibre in their diets! They aren't all that thick and I've never bothered to 'pop' them out.

[Alison]

Yes, but I figure that people pay folding money for added fibre in their diets! They aren't all that thick and I've never bothered to 'pop' them out.

Seems a waste of time and bean to me too

[Caro]

Errr, so to keep it simple for those of us who need it ... I should pick my crimson flowered beans when ...? Should the pod be a certain length? fullness? falling down?

Sorry for being dense, i've never grown or eaten them before either

[Two_Sheds]

Ahh, ok I didn't know they had skins on the beans

They don't if you pick them early. The little uns are fine eaten raw, but I think they are sweeter if steamed.
You can also make them into a type of hummous.

I should pick my crimson flowered beans when ...?

Read the comments above ^^

The best way though, is to open one up and taste it. You will soon learn when it's big enough, or too tough etc.

[chris]

Picked one last night, probably about 5 inches long - the beans inside were baked bean size (what beans are those by the way?)

Tried them raw, wasn't that keen - couldn't see the skins, but then from TS's comment I guess they're still quite young?

Will leave the others a little while. Thanks