How to Cook Borlotti Beans ~ How to Grow Borlotto Beans
The weather and time of year is in clear flux here, clocks gone back, dark nights and mornings, falling leaves and a distinct chill in the air.
The kitchen garden is in its final throws but still has something to give.
This time it’s Borlotti Beans, my first crop of home grown borlotto have now been harvested
This is a crop I’ll certainly be growing again next year - this time however I’ll have a little more idea about the support the plants need.
If you’re going to give them a go ensure a good sized and sturdy framework around them - the vines really do take off.
Then it’s simply a case of planting, keeping the weeds and pests at bay, watering and waiting then here’s what you get !
Borlotti Bean Pods
It’s a spectacular looking crop and would make a nice addition to any garden even if it was primarily a decorative garden.
I cooked these from fresh, straight off the vine and into boiling water, fast rolling boil for 8-10 minutes I found did the trick.
Contrary to some sources mine did not lose their colour - possibly those suggesting this may be over-cooking them ?
You can dry them but you do then have to soak them.
Do You Have to Soak Fresh Borlotti Beans ? . . . No You Don’t
Shelled Borlotto benas
They looked to me as though they were something Jack planted to get is Magic beanstalk - quite surreal and a visual treat - taste wise not dissimilar to broad beans.
They were delicious and I once again got to enjoy that fabulous feeling of growing, cooking and eating your own food.
There’s nothing quite like it - I know it sounds all ‘River Cottage’ but the pleasure and satisfaction is quite incredible.
This has been my third year with a kitchen garden now so it’s not the novelty that does it. I suspect there’s something of the primeval in it but also revelling in the simple pleasures there are to be found in life.
Organically Yours
Rod
Rod said,
October 25, 2009 @ 7:21 pm
GMT clock change time check
Little Brother said,
October 25, 2009 @ 10:15 pm
Rod,
Don’t know what’s more awesome, the photo’s or the SEO!!!
Good work fella
LB
Rod said,
October 26, 2009 @ 7:42 am
LB,
thanks Captain !
RC
jen said,
July 31, 2010 @ 12:56 pm
How high should the borlotti bean plant grow? I tied mine in to a wigwam of canes but all the plants are only about 10″ high. I have quite a few beans but having never grown them before I expexcted them to grow like runners.
Info please.
Rod said,
July 31, 2010 @ 7:57 pm
Jen,
mine go about 5 or 6 feet I think, although this years are nothing like that yet
Best
Rod
Jamie said,
September 21, 2011 @ 7:07 pm
I had lots of pods and let them get dry and crackly before harvesting. Affter shelling had quite a few and wonder are these beans now considered to be dried beans and require soaking? I did cook some but they needed boiling for at least 45 mins.
Rod said,
September 21, 2011 @ 7:33 pm
Jamie,
I’d guess they need soaking, personally I’d blanch and freeze them on picking myself.
Cheers
Rod
Kate said,
September 22, 2011 @ 9:15 am
Hi Jamie,
if the pods are withered and dry, and the beans took 45 minutes to cook, then the beans will already be well into in the process of drying, and will store best if you remove the pods, spread them on trays and place them in a warm dry room for a few days to dry out completely before storing them in clean jars in a cool dry place (discard any that are discoloured or with insect damage) - they then will keep for a few years, just check them over periodically to make sure no insects have got in as you would with any storecupboard food. They will not blanch and freeze successfully, unlike the fresh beans in Rod’s photo.
To cook the dried beans, they will need soaking first (I usually leave them overnight in a big bowl of water) then as you have found, boiling for at least 45 mins. I usually boil for ten minutes, tip off the water which will be a bit grey and scummy, then bring to the boil again in fresh water and boil for at least another half hour-45mins, before I use them in a recipe. Don’t add salt to these first boilings as it can make the beans rather hard.
Don’t forget you can use some of your dried beans to sow for your next year’s crop
If you want them fresh, pick the pods regularly and often as soon as they have filled out - this not only gives you fresh beans that won’t need a soak, but also encourages more flower and pod production.
Kate