BEANS – LIMA, BUTTER, OR PINTO BEANS
When to Buy/In Season:
All year. Best supplies of lima beans are in August and September.
How to Select:
Well filled, tender, green pods. Avoid dried, spotting, or yellowing, wilted pods. Shelled lima beans should be plump, with green to greenish-white skins
Organic Issues:
Pesticide Issues:
How to Store:
store fresh beans in the refrigerator using plastic bags or crisper; use within 1 – 2 days
Freezer
To Freeze Fresh Beans:
Preparation: Harvest while the seed is in the green stage. Wash, shell and sort according to size.
Blanch: Water blanch small beans 2 minutes, medium beans 3 minutes and large beans 4 minutes. Cool promptly, drain and package, leaving 1/2-inch headspace. Seal and freeze.
Cook from Frozen: 6 -10 minutes large for large beans, or 15 – 20minutes for baby beans, using 1/2 cup lightly salted water for each pint (2 cups) of vegetables
Storage: Store frozen beans up to 6 months in the freezer
Measurement: 2 to 2-1/2 pounds yields 1 pint
Canning
Store commercially canned beans, unopened, at room temperature for up to 2 years
Photo Source: luliisforlovers
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