[Beetroot Queen]

Never grown them, know little about them, can they be grown here, just opened a tin for the chilli and thought why cant we grow these. 

Pictures a bonus, my brain works best in colour

[mumofstig]

If you want red ones then these are the ones to grow -
http://organiccatalog.com/product_info.php?cPath=21_22_44_69&products_id=129

That one seems not to work for some people - so try this one .....

http://www.organiccatalogue.com/Seeds-Vegetable-Seeds-Vegetable-Seeds-A-B-Beans-Dwarf-French/c21_22_44_69/p129/FRENCH-BEAN-Canadian-Wonder/product_info.html

[bravemurphy]

Can you eat any bean from like runners dwarf and French then?

[sunshineband]

They are dead simple to grow and you get a massive crop too 

and yes bravemurphy, you can eat any of them. Just make sure you give them a good boil for 20 minutes (before a simmer if they are dried) to destroy any toxins the mature beans may contains.

I keep anything that has gone over at this time in the year and let the pod dry before shelling out the beans

[Beetroot Queen]

Super very excited. The girls love them, 20 minutes is loads. I was always under the impression you should not boil them   

So you leave them to go over and crispy and harvest the dried bean, so once you get to that stage the plant is finished ?

[Beetroot Queen]

Mos the link says product not found

[JaniceB]

Just had a quick mooch round Google and it looks like 'Canadian Wonder' is a heritage variety that's worth a pop. I shall definitely track some down for next year. Thanks for the inspiration Beetroot Queen!

[Beetroot Queen]

Finally I have been an inspiration to someone, can I have that on my tomb stone.

I get the feeling I am more the site pest somedays. 

I will be having a look for the variety suggested.

[mumofstig]

I've added a new link for Canadian Wonder, which I hope works.

The original one worked for some but not all, I suspect 

[Beetroot Queen]

I've added a new link for Canadian Wonder, which I hope works.

The original one worked for some but not all, I suspect 

Being daft that says french bean.

[Beetroot Queen]

Ok think i have it, lack of sleep makes me thick...... Dont answer that 

[fatbelly]

Just had a quick mooch round Google and it looks like 'Canadian Wonder' is a heritage variety that's worth a pop. I shall definitely track some down for next year. Thanks for the inspiration Beetroot Queen!

Last season Wilkos sold Canadain Wonder

[beesrus]

I view "kidney beans" as a generic catchall for runners and french that have gone almost full term. It's how I eat most of my runners, and certainly takes the panic out of a runner glut.
Firestorm in particular are an excellent taste and "kidney bean" replacement in chili etc.

I tend to cook fresh from the pod before the pods have dried, and this is the best taste I find. Otherwise I completely dry and store those that go full term and wither on the plant. The dried ones obviously need to be cooked the same way normal dried kidney beans are treated, usually with an overnight soak and a good old boil.

[RaptorUK]

Just had a quick mooch round Google and it looks like 'Canadian Wonder' is a heritage variety that's worth a pop. I shall definitely track some down for next year. Thanks for the inspiration Beetroot Queen!

I grew one 12m row of these this year, never grown French beans before,  my podded beans are now drying and it looks like I'll end up with about 750g worth . . . thats about £2 worth.  Will be using some in a Chilli Con Carne in a couple of weeks,  they need to be soaked overnight in cold water to plump them back up and reduce the levels of Lectin.  Discard the water and then boil in fresh water for at least 10mins.

[mumofstig]

To be honest, I don't worry about the colour - any large French bean seeds will taste ok in a Chilli I grow climbing beans for drying, cos you get a better yield for the space.

Spagna Blanco large white shelling beans and Borlotti beans are my faves