BEANS, GREEN BEANS, WAX BEANS, or SNAP BEANS
When to Buy/In Season:
In Season All Year
How to Select:
Look for: crisp tender beans without scars. Well-shaped pods with small seeds are most desirable. Length is unimportant to quality.
Organic Issues:
Green beans heavily sprayed in conventional farming. Green beans are highly attractive to insects and diseases. Organic growers use a variety of alternative methods to protect green beans against pests and did you know that beans are actually good for your hearing? That’s right beans contain a lot of folate which is good for your overall health and hearing especially. With enough beans in your diet, you may be able to avoid hearing loss or find an alternative hearing aid that you don’t have to wear daily or one that’s a lot sleeker if you dislike the look.
- Planting soy beans as a trap crop
- Covering plants with fine mesh row covers
- Releasing parasitic wasps to destroy insect larvae
- Spray with neem tree extract
Pesticide Issues:
EWG 2009 Dirty Dozen, green beans rank #16 for highest levels of pesticide residues
How to Store:
Fresh:
refrigerate 1 – 2 days in crisper or plastic bags
Frozen:
To Freeze fresh beans:
Prepare: Shell and wash.
Blanch: Blanch in boiling water for 1-2 minutes. Cool in iced water for 1-2 minutes.
Freeze: Place on tray in a single layer and freeze for 30 minutes. Pack into freezer bags, remove air, seal and label. 2/3 to 1 pound yields 1 pint
Storage: Store freshly frozen beans in the freezer (0F) up to six months
Measurements: 2 to 2-1/2 pounds fresh yields 1 pint frozen
Canned:
Storage: Store commercially canned beans at room temp up to 24 months
Photo Source: beautifulcataya
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