Ok, so my green beans (or purple beans, to more accurately describe my Trionfo Violetto) have gotten the best of me. Even with giving away harvest after harvest, I STILL have more than I can use!

I have tried blanching the beans and freezing them in the past, but I don’t like what that does to the texture and flavor. I have pickled them, that’s ok. But I would love to have them available to use in fall and winter recipes.

So, I searched the web. I found this post by anoregoncottage.com on how to freeze green beans without blanching. She, and others who commented on her post, found that this method helped with both the texture and flavor of the beans. So it is worth a try.

Three quarts of green beans are now in my freezer, and I will add more as the season progresses. If it works well, expect a detailed post next year.

For now, eat what you grow, and enjoy!

A Farewell to Arielle, for now

Arielle left a few days ago to begin her graduate studies in ecology in Israel.  Although I am excited for her as she begins this new adventure, it has been so very nice to have her home for the past 8 months; I will miss her terribly.  With Arielle home, we never knew what would show up at the house; she brought home everything from unknown creatures she found squirming in the dirt at Farmer Kim’s to an injured sea gull.  Cam enjoyed learning about and watching each of Arielle’s “babies.”  In honor of her leaving, here are some pictures of the latest visitors…