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How to properly freeze beans for the winter
Green beans appear on our table in the middle of summer. It is good in salads, soups and as a side dish. To extend her “life” until winter, you should use freezing: this method will preserve all the vitamins, trace elements and the appetizing appearance of the vegetable. In this article, we’ll show you how to properly freeze beans.
Knowing how to properly freeze beans makes it easy to maximize their health benefits.
How to prepare beans for freezing
To create delicious winter blanks, it is important to choose the right raw materials. Use early maturity beans. It is still “milky”: the grains are easily pierced with a fingernail, there is no hard shell on them. An overripe vegetable will not become tender, no matter how tricky you freeze it.
Go through the pods, remove the spoiled ones.
Cut off their edges on both sides: they can spoil the taste of the winter preparation.
It is believed that low temperatures easily deal with viruses and bacteria. This statement applies only to “shock” freezing, which is not available at home. To make the product completely safe, rinse it several times in running water. If you bought a vegetable on the market and do not know anything about its origin, boil it first.
How to freeze beans for the winter
When all the preparatory measures are completed, you can start freezing. To make the vegetable tasty and attractive in appearance, consider the important nuances:
- Dry the beans thoroughly on a towel or in a colander. Excess moisture will worsen the appearance, make the vegetable watery and tasteless. All pods will freeze into one ice lump, and breaking off the right amount of product will be problematic.
- Pre-freeze. Spread the pods at some distance from each other and put them in the freezer for 4-5 hours. So you will keep them safe and sound, prevent freezing.
- Place in small plastic bags. Be sure to release all the air from the bag and tie it tightly. You can make preforms in small plastic containers.
How to freeze beans after pre-cooking? Dip the vegetable in lightly salted boiling water, leave for 3-4 minutes, no more. Catch with a slotted spoon and throw in cold water to preserve the bright color of the beans. Dry the food thoroughly in a colander or towel. Place it in plastic containers or bags, send it to the freezer.
Frozen beans will enrich the winter diet with a bright taste and an abundance of vitamins. Store it at –18 degrees, use it within 12 months: it will not last longer.