Christmas in July

That's the first thing I thought of when I prepared to write tonight's entry.  An odd thought given it was almost 100 degrees today and humid as hell.  But Charles spent the morning freezing a batch of freshly picked green beans and my thoughts automatically went to the cold, short days of December when we plan our dinner around our green beans from our garden.  There is something gratifying and humbling about pulling out a bag of beans dated 07-12-11 and preparing them for dinner in the middle of a New England winter.  They are perfectly green and perfectly delicious.

Freezing Green Beans could not be easier.  You do not have to grow them either.  Pick up some locally grown and freeze them yourself.

We freeze in 1, 1.5 and 2lb increments (I'm anal that way).  The smaller the bean the better.  We weigh them, wash them and cut them into 2 inch pieces.

Have a  large pot of salted boiling water ready and a bucket of ice on standby .  Put the green beans into the boiling water and start the clock - 3 minutes.  After those 3 minutes are up, place them in the ice bath for 3 more minutes.  Drain completely.  You want the beans pretty dry before freezing.

We use a Food Saver, but baggies would work fine.  If you do use a Food Saver, freeze the beans in the open bag BEFORE you suck.  That way the beans keep their shape. 

As an aside, we are not beyond purchased grocery store green beans.  Frozen vegetables in any form are amazing supplements when out of season.