To blanch or not to blanch?

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Pimento

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To blanch or not to blanch?
« on: March 31, 2017, 19:37 »
Getting this one in early, as you can see... :D

Last year I religiously blanched all my peas, broad beans, French beans and carrots. In the past I often haven't bothered, and I can't honestly say I've noticed any difference - even to the veg I've eaten months after growing. Is it reeeeally necessary?

Frozen French beans have never worked too well for me either way - just not as tasty - so if anyone can recommend any varieties good for freezing, or some kind of foolproof method, that would be great!

Many thanks in advance for any tips.

Pim.
I don't really look like my avatar.

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snowdrops

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Re: To blanch or not to blanch?
« Reply #1 on: March 31, 2017, 20:45 »
No I don't blanch & have never noticed any difference,good or bad. As for varieties not able to help except I've been salting some of my runners this last 2 years & they are a much nicer improvement so I'm going to do French beans this year.
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Pimento

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Re: To blanch or not to blanch?
« Reply #2 on: March 31, 2017, 21:49 »
Thanks, Snowdrop! But salting? How do you do that?  :)

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mumofstig

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Re: To blanch or not to blanch?
« Reply #3 on: March 31, 2017, 21:55 »
It's strange isn't it,  the varied answers to this question.

I usually blanch for a short period, but didn't blanch last year's beans because everyone said there was no reason to.

I threw away what was left of my beans early in the year because they just weren't nice. I've never had this with blanched beans. So I will go back to blanching  ::)

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chrissie B

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Re: To blanch or not to blanch?
« Reply #4 on: March 31, 2017, 22:02 »
I just do it to kill any bacteria that there might be and bugs tend to float.
chrissie b
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Pimento

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Re: To blanch or not to blanch?
« Reply #5 on: March 31, 2017, 22:08 »
Just looking up salting - think I'll definitely give it a try! The freezer always gets full anyway so good to have an alternative other than chutneys etc - I've never dared try canning because I'm too scared of poisoning people!   :lol:

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sarajane

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Re: To blanch or not to blanch?
« Reply #6 on: March 31, 2017, 23:13 »
I gave up blanching 30 + year's ago and never noticed the difference and not had any complaints.

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Pimento

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Re: To blanch or not to blanch?
« Reply #7 on: April 01, 2017, 07:13 »
Well, that's very heartening, SaraJane!  :lol:

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jaydig

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Re: To blanch or not to blanch?
« Reply #8 on: April 01, 2017, 08:48 »
I used to blanch religiously, but I don't bother any longer.  I find that runner beans, particularly, seem to be nicer without, but I would think it all depends on personal taste.

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arh

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Re: To blanch or not to blanch?
« Reply #9 on: April 01, 2017, 08:58 »
Thank you everyone who replied to this topic, I would need to purchase all the baskets etc. to blanch as I am returning to "growing" since approx 30+ years. So this year I will try freezing without blanching, (if anything grows!).

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mumofstig

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Re: To blanch or not to blanch?
« Reply #10 on: April 01, 2017, 09:40 »
I don't have any extra equipment for blanching, just my regular saucepans and colander  :D

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Pimento

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Re: To blanch or not to blanch?
« Reply #11 on: April 01, 2017, 20:21 »
I think sweetcorn has to be one of the nicest frozen veg of all - unblanched! The bought stuff's not very nice, IMHO, but last year I just chopped all my spare cobs in half and shoved them straight in the freezer and they were truly delicious - just as nice as fresh! So will be planting loads more this year... And hoping it wasn't a fluke!  :lol:

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jaydig

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Re: To blanch or not to blanch?
« Reply #12 on: April 02, 2017, 10:04 »
I think sweetcorn has to be one of the nicest frozen veg of all - unblanched! The bought stuff's not very nice, IMHO, but last year I just chopped all my spare cobs in half and shoved them straight in the freezer and they were truly delicious - just as nice as fresh! So will be planting loads more this year... And hoping it wasn't a fluke!  :lol:

I don't even bother to remove the silks and husks from my sweetcorn when freezing, just put it into bags and seal.  I can't remember where I read it, but the husks help to protect the kernels in the freezer.

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Pimento

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Re: To blanch or not to blanch?
« Reply #13 on: April 02, 2017, 10:09 »
Thanks, Jaydig - makes sense! i just don't always want a whole cob, but might keep their clothes on this year!

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Rhys

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Re: To blanch or not to blanch?
« Reply #14 on: April 02, 2017, 17:59 »
Never really thought about blanching. I just did it as my dad said to do it when I picked all the broad and runner beans last year. Blanched them, and bagged them into freezer bags in portions ready to go in the microwave streamer.


I guess it kills any bugs as mentioned above.
"There's no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothing, so get yourself a sexy raincoat and live a little." - Billy Connolly



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