[devonbarmygardener]

I regularly blanch and freeze your runner/french/broad bean types successfully, but I wondered if anyone had experience with the italian bean type like borlotti or butter beans (which I'd love to grow - anyone know if you can get the butter bean type to grow??)

I'd like to know if it would be better to freeze or dry this type??

Many thanks

Emma

[Kleftiwallah]

Leave the pods on the plant until they are papery dry, shell them and store in a dark cupboard.    Better to dry them than use electricity keeping them cold.   

We grow a large white bean (Gigantes) and these grow easy peasy every year.

 :happy:      Cheers,     Tony.

[devonbarmygardener]

Leave the pods on the plant until they are papery dry, shell them and store in a dark cupboard.    Better to dry them than use electricity keeping them cold.   

We grow a large white bean (Gigantes) and these grow easy peasy every year.

 :happy:      Cheers,     Tony.

Where did you get the Gigantes seeds from?
I love these cooked the greek way in a rich tomatoey sauce?

[CaroleG]

I only just finished using up the last of the Borlotti beans I dried last year. I dry them in the pods like Kleftiwallah said. Actually, I find it easier to just cut the entire plant at the base and then hang the whole lot up, taking the pods off when they're dry. No problem growing borlottis or cannellini here in East Herts, despite last years damp end to the summer. As an added bonus the borlotti beans look really lovely while they're growing with a great splash of red/cream on the huge beans. I've use Franchi Sementi for the seeds for the last few years, they've always been very good.

[devonbarmygardener]

Thats the make of seed I've got for borlotti beans.

Thanks for the advice about hanging the whole plant to dry - will remember that one.

[sarajane]

I call them greek big beans  -  never been sure what they are called but I bought a kilo of them 3 years ago in Crete, kept some back, and have grown them the last 2 years. (Also cooked and then put into a rich garlicky tomato sauce and into the oven)

I leave them all on the stems till almost the frosts and then leave them inthe airing cupboard till dry and crispy , shell and put the beans into an airtight container

[mumofstig]

Once they are dry it's worth popping them in the freezer for a while just in case there are any bean weevil inside the shells.
http://www.weekendgardener.net/vegetables/beans-dried.htm

[devonbarmygardener]

Nice link

Thank you all very much

Emma

[BussinSpain]

I am growing Borloti beans for the first time this year.  The variety is called Supremo which I bought from Marshall in the UK.  I have had a first rate germination with them   I will be eating some fresh, freezing some and drying the rest in the sun for use later in the year.

[devonbarmygardener]

Have now ordered a Seeds of Italy Butter bean type! I'm thrilled - have been looking for these for ages!

Can't wait to get growing them.

Emma