Green Beans

Select It

Look for fresh green beans that are slender, feel firm and have a bright green color. Avoid buying green beans that feel soft, limp, have brown spots or open pods.

Store It

• Store in the refrigerator for up to 7 days in a breathable bag in the high-humidity drawer. Set the drawer lever to closed, less air coming in. Breathable bags include produce bags from the grocery store, cotton or mesh bags.
• Store in the freezer for up to 8 months in an airtight container. Place in boiling water for one minute, then immerse in ice water and drain until dry before freezing.

Reduce Food Waste

The ends of green beans do not need to be removed before cooking. Remove the stems and eat. 

Remove any soft or slimy green beans from the bag to save the others. 

Source: Save the Food

Prepare It

• Cut fresh green beans into bite-size pieces. Eat plain or as a snack with a healthy vegetable dip.
• Add to salads, stir-fries, pastas or rice dishes.
• Boil green beans for about 3 minutes. Drain the green beans and sauté in olive oil with sliced almonds and bell peppers with garlic and a pinch of salt. Serve as a side dish with family favorites.

@kennedy_hicks3

Spicy Parmesan Green Bean Chips #yum #healthy #ThisorThatSBLV #snack

♬ Coffee for Your Head – Vinyll

Did You Know?

Green beans are nitrogen fixers, which means they have the ability to draw nitrogen from the air and return it to the soil. Because of this, farmers often plant beans and other legumes to replenish the soil.

k Green beans help stop cuts and scrapes from bleeding too much, and start the healing process because they contain Vitamin K.

Click here for more information about green beans.

Click here for a printable page with lots of info about green beans.

Recipes

Creole Green Beans

Ingredients

2 cups fresh cut green beans, or 1 (16-ounce) package frozen green beans
2 teaspoons vegetable oil or oil of choice
2 small cloves garlic, chopped
1 cup chopped red bell pepper
1 cup chopped tomatoes
½ cup chopped celery
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper

Source: CA Champions for Change

Serving

Makes 4 servings. 1 cup per serving.

Time

25 minutes

Directions

1. Heat oil in large skillet over low heat.
   
   
2. Sauté garlic in oil for 1 minute.
   
   
3. Add green beans and bell peppers; increase heat to medium and cook for 5 to 7 minutes.
   
   
4. Stir in rest of the ingredients and cook for another 5 to 7 minutes. Serve hot.
   

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