[like diggingk]

i have lots of large runner beans they are to stringy to eat
can i just eat just the beans inside
hope some one can help it seems a wast to bin them

[mumofstig]

yes, you can - some varieties like Czar and the one I'm growing Spagna Blanca are grown mainly for their beans 

[like diggingk]

thanks 

do you know how do i store them
do i dry them first ?
 

[mumofstig]

dry them or freeze them as they are 

[like diggingk]

thanks again 

[mumofstig]

Freeze after shelling them of course - should have made that clear 

[like diggingk]

have already started to shell them 
think i will try and dry some in the green house 
 
my freezer is full up with veg 
have asked hubby for a chest freeze don't know if i will get one though 

[Growster...]

We're bring pounds home at the moment, and have resolved that next year, we'll grow fewer!

I love beans in any form, (Mrs G is neither here nor there with them) and as long as I can ignore the hideous purple colouring, then I've got a result of some sort or other...

Also, of course, that's next year's seed sorted as well!

[Spana]

I love to eat the big seed raw, either straight of the plant while i'm gardening or sliced up raw in salads. :happy:

But i have heard that raw beans are toxic, anyone know if that is true.

[mumofstig]

Yes they are toxic if you eat more than the odd one or 2............

French beans are worse than runners though, so don't start eating them raw

[GrannieAnnie]

Like Growster mentioned, save some beans for next years seed, saves a bit of money!  I've got loads, plus some still from last year.

[Spana]

Yes they are toxic if you eat more than the odd one or 2............

French beans are worse than runners though, so don't start eating them raw

Oh dear, i eat lots. Ive just been and picked runners for dinner and must have eaten at least 6. Thats whole beans not just the seeds. I wonder what they do to you

I'll have to try harder not to eat them, but it will be difficult

[arugula]

Yes they are toxic if you eat more than the odd one or 2............

French beans are worse than runners though, so don't start eating them raw

Oh dear, i eat lots.

We eat raw french beans regularly in salads in the summer. I had never heard this before.

[Yorkie]

The more mature the bean, the higher the risk of poisoning it appears.  The older beans contain raised levels of a certain acid and cyanide.

See this article for some more comments from people who seem to be well-informed:
http://www.rawfoodinfo.com/real%20letters/ltr_greenbeans.html

I had definitely heard this from a completely separate source before now. 

Either it's true but not well-known, or it's a very widespread urban myth!

[Spana]

Blimey :blink:

 Just read Yorkie's link above and i'm as confused as ever. 

Only good thing for me is my runners are White Lady so even the biggest seeds are still white, which is a good thing.....i think.....or perhaps not...... 

I have in the past chopped some up in the magi-mix and fed them to the chickens who love them, wonder if they are bad for hens as well 

So sorry for highjacking your thread Like diggingk, i'll shut up now and get me coat