Green Beans

ninnymary

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Is there a trick to freezing green beans? I blanched them and put them in freezer bags one time and they didn't taste very good.

Can I just rinse them and put them in freezer bags without doing anything to them?

We are getting tired of eating them and would like to save some for winter. I don't want to can them. I want them to taste as fresh as possible.

Mary
 

Carol Dee

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I willbe watching for answers, too. Our beans are a bit rubbery from the freezer. And mushy when canned.
 

catjac1975

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The trick to freezing green beans is to choose the right variety to plant. Many catalogs list the varieties best suited to freezing, canning and fresh eating. Burpee is a good one for that as well as many others.
 

ninnymary

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cat, they are kentucky wonder pole beans and the package says they are "excellent for freezing".

Mary
 

catjac1975

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I have always frozen my beans I love them my husband does not. I have found that young beans keep their crispness, where more fully grown beans get limp. I blanch them for 4 minutes, chill them in ice water spin dry them and freeze them immediately in zip lock bags that I squeeze most of the air out of.
 

ninnymary

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cat, is the blanching really necessary? What does it do to them? What happens if I don't blanch?

Mary
 

catjac1975

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Absolutely necessary. Beans will be burned if frozen with out blanching. Stick a few in the freezer over night and take a look.
ninnymary said:
cat, is the blanching really necessary? What does it do to them? What happens if I don't blanch?

Mary
 

seedcrazy

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I grew tendergreen this year and I think they would be perfect for freezing (bush bean) and canning actually.
 

journey11

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I do all that as above and also freeze mine in Foodsaver vacuum-seal bags. I've had no trouble with freshness or freezer burn.

ETA: Although really now that I am proficient with my pressure canner, I do prefer my beans canned.
 

lesa

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Journey, I didn't like my canned beans - they seemed really overcooked. Did yours retain any crispiness? I grew the tendergreens this year. I tried freezing a few. I blanched for 3 minutes and got them really cold- then dried and froze them. They look nice and green. We will see... My second planting is almost ready, I will have to decide if I freeze or can.
 

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