How to freeze string beans for winter at home

Frozen home-made vegetables are an excellent way to create vitamin culinary masterpieces in the winter. They are much cheaper than those that can be purchased in supermarkets, while being absolutely natural. And to prepare them is not so difficult. Let's consider in detail how to properly freeze the string bean and in what dishes it can be used in the future. Do this best in the summer, collecting legumes from your own beds or buying them on the market.

How to freeze string beans for the winter

The main mistake that many housewives allow, preparing this vegetable, is the absence of heat treatment. That is, it is simply washed, cut and placed in the freezer. As a result, it is simply thrown away. The main secret of how to freeze the string bean for the winter: it must be blanched beforehand. And it is desirable to do this in salted water. Beans must be cleaned beforehand and cut off hard edges. Next, boil the water, which is salted to taste. Then send the pods into it. Cook them until ready (about 20 minutes) or just blanch for 5 minutes. In the first case, the product will be ready for use, and after defrosting it can be added to salads or garnishes without additional processing. The second option allows you to get a semi-finished product, the properties of which are close to a fresh vegetable. To keep the pods bright green, they should be put into cold water after boiling water (you can add a little ice to it).

Then the beans must be taken out of the water and dried on a towel. After that, it is packed in special bags, as far as possible removing the air from them. If they are not available, you can use disposable containers that should be tightly closed or wrapped with food wrap. Some housewives, before freezing the string beans for the winter, prefer to cut it into several pieces. In principle, it is much more convenient to store it, however, in some dishes, whole pods are required, so it is best to do this immediately after defrosting. In a freezer, where packages or containers are sent, this semi-finished product can be stored for up to a year. Before use, the pods should be left at room temperature for several hours or dipped in boiling water. There are dishes that use frozen pod beans. Recipes of some of them - further.

Dietary garnish

What could be better than fresh vegetables cooked for lunch or dinner? In winter, frozen will do. And if the house has its own stock, then this garnish will not only be tasty and useful, but also budget. So, on a half kilo of string beans take the juice of 1 lemon, salt and spices to taste, as well as 60 g of breadcrumbs, vegetable oil.

Frozen pods must be boiled for a couple or in boiling water for 15-20 minutes. Then they cool, pour lemon juice, crumble in breadcrumbs mixed with spices, and fry in hot oil. Serve with meat, fish or as an independent dish. If the hostess, before freezing the string beans for the winter, cut it fairly finely, the dish will not look very impressive. Although the taste is not affected in any way.

Omelette with beans and cheese

This bright, nutritious and delicious dish will be very useful for a rainy winter morning to raise your mood and get a portion of vitamins. 2 eggs will need 200 g of frozen beans, 50 ml of milk, 30 g of hard cheese, salt, vegetable oil, spices.

Beans must be thawed with hot water or microwave. Eggs are beaten with milk, salt and spices, cheese is rubbed. On a hot frying pan with oil, fry the chopped pods lightly. Then pour the egg-milk mixture, sprinkle it with grated cheese and fry it over low heat, covering it until ready.