A selection of the best ways to freeze green beans, preserving maximum benefits and taste

Beans are one of the most common crops in the world, widely used in cooking. Beginning in the 16th century, green (asparagus) beans came into use.

Modern technologies make it possible to freeze green beans in any quantity, which is easy to implement at home. The variety of freezing methods available to everyone allows you to choose the most suitable option and preserve all the beneficial qualities of the product for the winter.

Green beans: benefits and harm

One of the main advantages green beans are low in calories - only 24-31 kcal/100 g and low in fat. The usefulness of the product is also represented by a large number of minerals and trace elements, flavonoids, vitamins A, B, C, E and fiber.

In nature, there are both green and purple and yellow colors of green beans - it depends on how by variety, and the degree of fetal maturity. The only difference between the yellow variety is the increased level of oiliness.

Important! Green beans contain easily digestible protein of plant origin. For this reason, the product is ideal for vegetarians as an alternative to animal proteins.

Other beneficial properties of green beans:

• the presence of naphthoquinone (vitamin K) in beans, which has a positive effect on the circulatory system and the process of calcium absorption by the body;
• high fiber content (9 mg/100 g) helps remove toxins and reduce blood cholesterol levels;
• low glycemic index (15 units) makes the product a dietary component;
• vitamin A and antioxidants in the composition inhibit the aging process;
• increased folic acid content prevents congenital fetal diseases;
• the carotenoid component protects the eyes from ultraviolet radiation;
• a wide variety of vitamins and macroelements have a beneficial effect on the functioning of the cardiovascular and reproductive systems, strengthen the immune system;
• medicinal properties: improved digestion, normalization of blood pressure, saturation of body cells with oxygen;
• recommended for anemia and diabetes;
• regulation of salt balance in the body due to the diuretic effect.

It is recommended to include green beans in the diet only if there are no contraindications for health reasons. It is prohibited to be used as food in the presence of diseases such as cholecystitis, acute pancreatitis, gastric ulcer, colitis and intestinal dysfunction.

Otherwise, exacerbations and deterioration in general health may occur. It is also better to exclude beans from the diet for older people due to their ability to cause flatulence. Gout and nephritis are another limiting factor for the consumption of beans due to their saturation with purines.

Areas of use

In cooking, there are many ways to prepare green beans, which can serve as both a side dish and a full-fledged dish. This is an indispensable ingredient in salads and an ideal product for freezing, retaining all its beneficial properties at low temperatures.

Important! Green beans cannot be eaten raw due to the presence of the toxin pheazine, which is harmful to humans, which is neutralized by heat treatment of the product.

Beans are considered a waste-free crop. In addition to its wide range of uses as a food product, the healing properties of beans have also found their use in folk medicine:

1. Boiled pods are used to make anti-wrinkle masks (crushed pods mixed with lemon juice), which have a tonic and whitening effect.
2. Powder from the seeds is used to make mash, which improves lactation and enhances the diuretic effect.
3. Decoctions of seeds and pods are used as a diuretic for the prevention and treatment of diseases of the genitourinary system.
4. A decoction of bean pods with blueberry leaves is a particularly effective remedy in the treatment of diabetes.
5. Bean juice is recommended for women to normalize hormonal levels and for mastopathy.

Important! Juices, decoctions and infusions based on asparagus are only additional means in the treatment of diseases. Use them only after consulting your doctor.

How to freeze green beans for the winter at home

The right product, frozen in accordance with all the rules and requirements, will become an ideal ingredient in preparing a wide range of tasty and healthy dishes.

Basic rules of the preparatory stage

The bean harvest begins in the second half of summer.

For the purpose of harvesting for the winter, beans of the Butter King, Fakir, Zhuravushka, Maska, and Sonesta varieties are ideal.

Proper freezing consists of the following steps:

1. Inspection of bean pods with a selection of ripe green fruits.
2. Processing vegetables in a weak solution of baking soda to remove germs, followed by rinsing in running water.
3. Drying the fruits using a dry cloth.
4. Cutting the pods into small pieces, removing the ends.
5. Preparing the container for freezing. Most often, plastic bags are used, into which the pods are placed in portions.
6. Sending containers to the freezer for storage.

Only pre-cleaned and dried beans can be frozen. This will eliminate the risk of poisoning and improve quality, and compliance with all necessary freezing rules will ensure the safety of the fruit.

The recommended mode is “super freezing”. Beans of any color with a flat or cylindrical bean shape are suitable for such preparation. The most common use is round pods, which are considered more suitable for preparing various dishes.

Important! If more than 2 kg of vegetables are frozen, then the instant freezing mode is turned on 4 hours before placing the product in the freezer. The product cannot be re-frozen.

In the freezer, sprouts wrapped in cloth or plastic can remain usable for 10 months.

It is permissible to eat asparagus after the expiration date if the following conditions are met:

• maintaining the temperature in the freezer -18°C or less;
• compliance with the rules of preparation for freezing;
• packaging tightness;
• the product did not thaw during storage.

Options for freezing beans

There are several options for freezing the product:

1. Raw beans. Clean and dried beans are evenly laid out on a horizontal surface (tray, board) and placed on freezer shelves designed for quick freezing.The resulting workpiece, packaged in bags, is sent for long-term storage.
2. Soaked beans. The grains obtained by cleaning the beans are soaked in water for several hours. Beans in this form will not lose their beneficial properties. The finished semi-finished product in packaged form serves as an excellent ingredient in cooking.
3. Boiled beans. The pods are placed in boiling water and cooked for 15 minutes. The dried finished product is placed in sealed bags or plastic containers. Frozen boiled beans do not require additional processing and can be immediately used for food. The main disadvantage of the freezing method is the significant time investment and loss of beneficial qualities of the finished product. When frozen boiled beans are stored for more than 6 months, their beneficial properties actually decrease.
4. Blanched beans. The fruits are placed in boiling water and boiled for 5 minutes, after which they are immediately lowered into the ice-cold liquid. This method helps them cool quickly and ensures their appearance is preserved. The dried pods, packaged in containers, are sent to the freezer. The main disadvantage of this method is the waste of time on blanching. However, thanks to this procedure, the beans become soft, preserving their beneficial properties, color and taste as much as possible.

Canning beans acts as an alternative way to preserve products, which is used if it is not possible to send it in full to the freezer. Canned beans are significantly inferior to frozen ones in terms of usefulness and preservation of vitamins.

Cooking Frozen Beans

The cooking time for pre-thawed asparagus depends on the method. The usual method - adding beans to boiling water - involves cooking for 5 minutes after the water boils. At cooking beans In a double boiler, defrosting is not required, and the process itself takes 12-15 minutes.

For salads, boil the beans in salted water for 3 minutes. Some people note a bitter taste from the beans after they are defrosted. To avoid this, place raw green beans in the freezer immediately after pre-processing.

Recipes for popular dishes with green beans

Here are the most popular recipes for dishes with beans that will diversify your diet and decorate your table.

Stewed chicken and beans

To prepare the dish, use both frozen and fresh beans, which will need to be boiled for 3-5 minutes. Add beans, garlic, tomatoes, herbs to the chicken fillet fried with onions and carrots and simmer over low heat until cooked.

Classic salad

This simple green bean salad is perfect for a healthy meal. You will need to boil the frozen beans for 7 minutes, cool, then prepare the dressing: mix oil, vinegar, spices, garlic, tomatoes, then pour the finished mixture over the product and mix.

Green beans with garlic

Boil frozen green beans for 8-10 minutes and mix with garlic, salt and pepper to taste and cook in a frying pan for another 3 minutes. It is recommended to serve the dish with cilantro.

Green bean soup

There are many recipes for making bean soup. Here is the simplest one: peeled, washed and chopped vegetables - onions, carrots - boiled together with beans for 10 minutes.After adding potatoes - another 7-8 minutes.

Season with ground pepper and salt, cream and leave to cook for another couple of minutes. This vegetable soup is an indispensable dish in vegetarian cuisine.

Tips and tricks

Experienced housewives know all the intricacies of preparing vegetables and give valuable advice on freezing them:

1. The best option for storing beans is a vegetable mixture.
2. Green beans go well with chicken and other vegetables and are considered an excellent ingredient for salads, omelettes, stews and baked dishes.
3. A convenient way to prepare green beans is to stew them in a slow cooker.
4. It is unacceptable to store unfrozen beans in pods; this is fraught with rotting and damage to the crop. Unpeeled seeds are difficult to fully dry.

Conclusion

The season of vegetables and fruits does not end in summer. An excellent way to consume them in your diet all year long is to freeze them, and the right approach to this process will allow you to preserve all their valuable and beneficial properties.

Green beans are one of the most popular and healthy foods: freezing will allow you to enjoy the fresh taste of this vegetable all year round. Be healthy and bon appetit!