Broad Beans taste bitter

cacran · « **on:** August 15, 2008, 22:18 »

Well I am probably stating the obvious but until I got my allotment I never tasted broad beans. I planted loads of them and am detirmined not to let them go to waste. Is there an easdy way to cook them to cut down on the bitterness?? :?:

Swing Swang · « **Reply #1 on:** August 15, 2008, 23:01 »

Pick them before the 'scar' goes black (probably a bit late now).

Failing that it helps to know that most of the bitterness is in the skins, so blanch or cook them depending on intended use, plunge into cold water, then skin. Use cold in salads, or return to the pan to finish off cooking if wanting them hot.

Hope this helps,

SS

SnooziSuzi · « **Reply #2 on:** August 15, 2008, 23:27 »

well I tried BB's for the second time today (just to be sure I didn't like them :puker: ) and they were horrible so I guess that my Nan will be getting a huge bag of them because I planted about 25 plants!!!

Not sure why yours are bitter though - are you just eating the bean? Mine just tasted bland.

mashauk · « **Reply #3 on:** August 16, 2008, 00:32 »

I pick em young, quite small so they don't need shelling, and just steam them.

agapanthus · « **Reply #4 on:** August 16, 2008, 02:34 »

They can be an acquired taste......strange tho'...my granddaughter loves 'em. I agree they are best cooked when young.

Trillium · « **Reply #5 on:** August 16, 2008, 04:13 »

My first time for broad beans this year and I took a tip off a French gardening site to first remove the beans from the pods, then take off the extra seed 'skin' unless the beans are quite young. Then I boiled them for a scant 3 minutes, drained, then added bit of salt and butter. Very yummy. It's a lot of extra work but definitely worth it in taste.

cacran · « **Reply #6 on:** August 16, 2008, 09:19 »

Thanks to all of you for that. I did get some older ones but I planted some later and will make sure I collect the pods in when they are younger. that might do the trick. I will skin the older ones. Unless I am converted, this year. I will not plant anymore in future.

Trillium · « **Reply #7 on:** August 17, 2008, 03:07 »

I had a reasonable yield from mine, and they're nice tasting, but I'm not sure that I want to again dedicate all the space they need. Think I'd much rather put in more peas or leeks, or carrots next time, things I know I like and need. Definitely not more toms as I already have about 50 plants this year :roll:

Eatyourgreens · « **Reply #8 on:** August 26, 2008, 19:48 »

The Spanish who consider the Broad Bean to be a national dish, almost always take off the spotted outer skin and use the much smaller green and less bitter bean that is lurking in side.

Bob

noshed · « **Reply #9 on:** August 26, 2008, 22:35 »

They are my favourite veg. Pity about the black fly this year.

Aidy · « **Reply #10 on:** August 31, 2008, 20:03 »

Quote from: "noshed"

They are my favourite veg. Pity about the black fly this year.

Likewise mate, I cant get enough of them, put about 17lbs in the freezer this year. BB and chorizo mmmmmmmm. i always grow The sutton.

orfy · « **Reply #11 on:** August 31, 2008, 20:05 »

I love them crushed and mixed with a little olive oil.

I can eat a dish full on there own.

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Broad Beans taste bitter

Trillium

Trillium