How to freeze green or yellow beans
(Courtesy of Hurtgen Meadows Farm)

• Wash beans and snip the ends off.
• If desired, cut beans into smaller pieces (1-1 ½ inches works well).
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil (about 2/3 full).
• Blanch the beans for 3 minutes. Begin counting the blanching time as soon as you place the beans in the boiling water. Cover the kettle and boil at a high temperature for 3 minutes. You may use the same blanching water several times (up to 5). Be sure to add more hot water from the tap from time to time to keep the water level at the required height. (If it is taking a while to return to a boil, use smaller batches or a hotter burner next time. But for now at least get the beans back to boiling for a minute, but don’t overcook them).
• Remove and drain the beans (scooping out with a strainer works well). Then, quickly submerge the hot beans in a bowl of ice water. Cool them for the same amount of time you blanched them (about 3 min.)
• Remove them from the ice water and put into ziptop style freezer bags (quart size works well). Make the portions in the bag the size you would want for meals later.
• Remove as much air as possible from the bag before sealing.
• Label the bags with the contents and date. Put the bags in the freezer.
• Enjoy this winter!