Drying Beans

[GJP]

We had ordered some PC seeds from Heirloom Seed this year for our garden. I wanted to use the stuff for a 1860 living history this fall. What is the best way to dry black beans(black turtle)? Would they have kept them in the hulls or shelled? And how would they dry them out? Any input would be appriciated.

 

[wolfers]

Best way I know is to let them dry in the pods. When they are totally dried up I pick em and remove the hulls. Then I pack em in an airtight jar.

 

[fw707]

Well, I don't think you're gonna be able to plant and harvest beans with what's left of this year, but folks aroung here just snap the ends and string the beans, leave them whole, and string them on pieces of cotton string about 2-3 feet long. Then leave them in the sun, turning them occasionally, until they dry out. They'll keep like that for a long time as long as they don't get wet or spend a lot of time in a really humid place.
We always called them "leather britches", or "string beans". They're really good eatin' cooked up shuck and all with plenty of bacon grease. :grin:
I don't have any idea if it's PC or not, but that's the way the old folks here have been doing it for as long as I remember.

 

[GJP]

Thanks for your help! Sounds like I should have asked before I shelled them. Right now is 90 degrees here, I have them on the picnic table to dry out.I have some more that will be ready in about another week, I'll leave them in the hull. Oh well, I'll know next year. Thanks again!

 

[fw707]

You're welcome.
I didn't understand in your original post that you had already grown and picked them this year. :hmm: :grin:

 

[TN.Frank]

Mom and Dad used to make what they called "leather jackets" where you cut the bean into sections about 1.5-2" long then you string em' on some string and hang em' up to dry. Then all you do is put some water in your frying pan, add the leather jackets and cook em'. They were pretty good too, just add a bit of bacon fat to flavor em' and you're set.

LOL, didn't see your post fw707, guess I should read em' all before I post but at least I know we're on the same page. :thumbsup:

 

[GJP]

How long do you guys suggest leaving them on the plant be fore you string them? Do you just pick them when they're young or do you let them go until the beans inside are mature? :hmm:

 

[fw707]

How long do you guys suggest leaving them on the plant be fore you string them? Do you just pick them when they're young or do you let them go until the beans inside are mature? :hmm:

We always waited until they got "full" to pick them, meaning the beans inside the hulls were big and mature.
I don't know anything about the black beans you have, but if they are anything like the half-runners we've always grown here you gotta snap the little stubs off the ends and remove the stringy membrane that runs down both sides of the bean before you thread them onto the cotton thread for drying. If you don't, you'll end up with a mouthful of bean strings when you chew them up.

 

[Nugget]

Pick them when they're full, the beans won't get to eating size if you pick them small. Leave them in the hulls, and string them with a needle and thread. Hang them from rafters or such to get airflow around them, this includes leaving a little space between beans. This can also be done with onions, just run the needle and thread through the middle of the tap root.

 

[GJP]

Thanks for all of your help. I've learned a lot in our garden this year. I don't know how good the beans were, but they got me a blue ribbon at the fair. I had gotten onto Heirloom Seeds web site and ordered a PC 1860's garden. We just had our big living history in Lancaster this weekend. I ended up not being able to go but I supplied the troops with some black beans, tunips, parsnips and carrots. I heard they went over well. I'll do the same next year - only with a bit more knowlage under my belt! Thanks again! - Mrs Jerry P

 

[renovato]

A blue ribbon, congrats! I'd say ya done great. Being able to share the bounty like you did is always a good thing.