freezing broad beans

[Fibonacci]

Not sure whether to post this in food or gardening section, but anyway....

Anyone know whether you have to blanch broad beans before freezing them?

That's the way I've always done it, and don't mind doing it for a big batch ... but as we're still at the start of the season I don't have that many surplus and am tempted to freeze them raw and unblanched.

Anyone know if that will work?

Thanks.

I'm planning to freeze some of mine raw. As I see it they come out of their pods all fresh & clean (they're not exposed to dirt & stuff when on the plant), so it should be OK especially if they're not left too long in the freezer.

Thanks snorkle. Anyone actually tried doing it that way??

I always blance them as my mum always did, dont know why other than tradition .

Although I would love the old chest freezer she had - it was as big as half my kitchen, you could have put 3 bodies in it.

this explains why you need to blanch

I always blanch before freezing (likewise runner and french beans). Also remove the outer pods before freezing if they're big beans - the inner green bit is the tasty part. Ideally I freeze them when the beans are tiny - far yummier.

That's a good link MadHouse - I've bookmarked it. Thanks.

Thanks madhouse, all you need to know.