Tuesday 16 September 2014

Pickled Runner Beans


Posted by Rosie


Anyone who grows more than one or two runner bean plants will, more than likely, find themselves over-run with excess beans at some point.  Whilst they can be frozen, they are never as nice this way so for a different way to store them for later, why not pickle them?

(See below about successful cooking of frozen of runner beans.)


Pickled Runner Beans

 

Ingredients


  • 1kg runner beans
  • Salt
  • 300ml cider or white wine vinegar
  • 300g sugar
  • 100ml water
  • 1 tsp ground allspice
  • 1 tsp coarsely ground black pepper 
  • 6 juniper berries (optional)


Method


1.  Trim and string the beans then slice into thin lengths.
2.  Place them in a pan of lightly salted boiling water and cook until just tender (5-8 mins).
3.  Meanwhile mix together the vinegar, water, sugar, allspice, pepper and juniper berries and heat gently to dissolve the sugar.
4.  Bring to the boil and simmer for 2 minutes.
5.  Drain the cooked runner beans, add them to the boiling vinegar mix and simmer for a further 4-5 minutes
6.  Strain off and retain the vinegar.
7.  Pack the beans in warm sterilised jars, cover with the hot vinegar and cap with vinegar proof lids.
8. Store in a cool, dark place and use with 12 months.  The flavour is best if the pickled runner beans are allowed to mature for several weeks before eating.



Freezing Runner Beans


If you do want to get the best taste from frozen runner beans I can recommend 2 methods which will help them taste more like freshly cooked beans.

1.  Steam from frozen rather than boil them
2.  Double boil them.  Place the frozen beans in a pan and cover with boiling water then immediately drain them.  Add more boiling water cook to your preferred tenderness.




The French are only just catching on to the idea of eating runner beans.  You can find the seeds here but you invariably have to look in the flower section under Haricot d'Espagne.  Beware though, you'll pay a fortune and only get about 5 seeds.  Better if possible to import from the UK or save your own seeds.


For more food ideas why not have a look at some of these linkies: TastyTuesdays, Recipe of the Week and #NoWasteFoodChallenge

Recipe of the weekTasty Tuesdays on HonestMum.com
#NoWasteFoodChallenge
#NoWasteFoodChallenge
 

17 comments :

  1. These sound fab Rosie. I don't eat refined sugar, do you think honey would work? #tastytuesdays

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  2. I have never tried this, will give it a go next year when I actually have some homegrown ones ... fingers crossed :-)

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  3. I never knew you could pickle runner beans. Will have to try this next year when hopefully the slugs won't eat all my plants!

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    1. Ah yes, slugs! Good luck next year. You could always start the beans in pots inside and plant them out when bigger. Or put bran around the young plants, that kills the slugs without harming anything else.

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  4. There's something about the thought of pickled runner beans that gives me the heebie jeebies! DOn't ask why! I love all beans, and I like pickles, I just don't think I like the idea of pickled beans. But then I've never tried them so how would I know? #TastyTuesdays

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    1. I'm not doing very well with my veggie choices and you at the moment am I? Pickled chard maybe??!!

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  5. I'm so glad you posted this recipe- we have had a glut of homegrown runner beans and we can't eat enough to keep up with supply, despite giving some away! Will be giving this a go this weekend! #tastytuesdays

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  6. Bet these are so tangy and tasty and perfect with cured meats and cheese! Yum! Thanks for linking up to #tastytuesdays

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    1. They are indeed ... and I have just made some brined turkey breast so they should go together perfectly!

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  7. What a great idea! We have so many courgettes I have piickled them but never thought about pickled runner beans! I will be remembering this one x #TastyTuesdays

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    1. It is certainly something very different to do with them and great for eating with cold turkey after Christmas!

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  8. These look wonderful! I must first grow some next year then try this out :) #Recipeoftheweek

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  9. Absolutely love the sound of these! Thank you for sharing with the No Waste Food Challenge and apologies for taking so long to pop over and comment!

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