Cranberry Beans, probably any beans; medium-term storage options?
I am planning on cleaning out the lady at the farmer's market of her cranberry beans this Friday. I am hoping to use in three different recipes over the course of the next 6 weeks or so. They are sold fresh, in the pod. Obviously if they were dry or frozen I wouldn't be having this question, but since they are an heirloom I am wondering if they are temperamental, and what best practices are for preserving fresh beans medium-term.
How should I preserve them for use 4-6 weeks from now?
Best Answer
My recommendation would be to shell and wash the beans, blanch for 3-4 minutes then quickly plunge in an ice bath, drain and pat dry, and seal in a freezer bag (squeezing out as much excess air as possible).
I have done this with fresh green beans by cutting into 1-inch pieces and they lasted 3 months in the freezer with no problem. I realize cranberry beans are quite different, but I think the same method would apply and work well. I would think the cranberry beans would be less temperamental than regular green beans.
As an aside, I have similar plans and this is how I am going to try to store them long-term.
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What beans are best for long-term storage?
Beans are perfect for longer term storage and will store up to 30 years, if stored appropriately.- Soybeans \u2013 Soybeans are a nutritional powerhouse but need to be soaked for a long time and are somewhat hard to digest. ...
- White Beans (Navy Beans) \u2013 These beans are amazingly versatile.
How Should beans be stored?
To keep dried beans as fresh as possible, store them in food-safe storage containers with tight-fitting lids rather than in the plastic bag you purchased them in. Store in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight.How do you store dried beans for long-term storage?
The best way to store beans long-term is to put seal them in Mylar bags with oxygen absorbers. Mylar is impervious to moisture and gases and blocks light. Because the OAs remove oxygen from the bags, the beans are protected from virtually all spoilage.How do you store beans for food storage?
4 Tips for Storing Dried BeansWhat Dried Bean Is The Best For Long-term Storage?
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