How to Freeze Runner Beans



Runner beans are a delicious and versatile vegetable that can be enjoyed all year round. Freezing is a great way to preserve your runner beans so that you can have them on hand whenever you need them. Here are the steps on how to freeze runner beans:

1. Prepare the beans. Wash the runner beans and trim off the ends. Cut the beans into 1-inch pieces.
2. Blanch the beans. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the beans and blanch for 2-3 minutes, or until they are bright green and tender.
3. Cool the beans. Immediately remove the beans from the boiling water and plunge them into a bowl of ice water. This will stop the cooking process and help to preserve the color and texture of the beans.
4. Drain the beans. Once the beans are cool, drain them well in a colander.
5. Freeze the beans. Spread the beans out on a baking sheet and freeze for 2-3 hours, or until they are frozen solid.
6. Transfer the beans to freezer bags. Once the beans are frozen, transfer them to freezer bags. Squeeze out as much air as possible before sealing the bags.
7. Label the bags. Label the bags with the date and contents.
8. Store the beans. Freeze the beans for up to 6 months.

Tips:

* Use fresh, high-quality runner beans for best results.
* Blanching the beans before freezing helps to preserve their color, texture, and flavor.
* Freeze the beans in a single layer to prevent them from clumping together.
* Squeeze out as much air as possible from the freezer bags to prevent freezer burn.

How to cook frozen runner beans:

Frozen runner beans can be cooked in the same way as fresh runner beans. They can be boiled, steamed, stir-fried, or microwaved. To cook frozen runner beans, simply thaw them in the refrigerator or microwave before cooking.

Enjoy!