Pennsylvania Dutch Green Beans Recipe - These Old Cookbooks (2024)

FAQs

Which is better in green bean casserole canned or frozen? ›

Green beans from a can have already been cooked to death right in the can and harbor plenty of sodium that could make your casserole too salty. Frozen French-cut green beans are a better option. They hold their texture better than canned, and you can cook them straight from their frozen state.

The pod flecks are caused when spores of the fungus germinate and infect individual plant cell, which sends out a signal to surrounding cells to die. With the surrounding cells dead, the fungus cannot advance and only a small fleck results. This defense mechanism is referred to as hypersensitivity.

Powdery mildew, caused by the fungal organism Erysiphe polygoni, is one of the most commonly occurring diseases on many types of beans. Green beans, pole bean, long bean, Italian bean, and snow pea crops are all susceptible to powdery mildew in tropical and subtropical climates.

What About Frozen Green Beans? Frozen green beans are not as good as fresh, but they're miles better than canned ones and thus a decent compromise.

Mistake #5: A Runny Casserole

If you don't, the excess water from the beans can leak out into the casserole and make it thin and runny. If you sense it's a little watery, "add a thickener like roux or starch to absorb the additional liquid or cook a little longer," she says.

One of the primary reasons for draining and rinsing canned beans, or any canned food, is to remove some of the excess salt.

Are Green Beans Safe for Dogs? Chopped, steamed, raw, or canned—all types of green beans are safe for dogs to eat, as long as they are plain. Green beans themselves are not only safe for dogs, but veterinarians also recommend them as a healthy treat. Best of all, dogs seem to love them.

Green beans can be frozen in their raw state, but consider blanching and shocking them for the best results. Not only does cooking them this way lock in their vibrant green color, but Registered Dietitian and Chef Abbie Gellman says it also eliminates surface microorganisms and dirt, preventing deterioration.

Can you eat green beans raw? ›

In summary, the safest way to eat green beans is usually cooked, but green beans can be eaten raw as well. Just be sure to wash them under running water before using them, as you would with any other produce. And because green beans contain lectins, eating them raw may result in tummy troubles.

They can feel limp and might have a sour, rotten smell. Moisture is usually the biggest threat to green bean freshness. “When moisture is present for an extended period, bacteria grows causing beans to spoil,” says Melanie Marcus, a chef and registered dietitian from the greater Charlotte area.

Okra can be divisive for its slimy texture. It contains mucilage, which is a naturally occurring substance that acts as a thickener for stews or gumbos, of course. While some are off-put by this, others find its unique texture perfect for roasting or frying. Quick roasting and dry heat can help minimize the sliminess.

“Brown spots and bean seed shapes that are coming out of the shell means that they are starting to get old,” says Amidor. That means use them ASAP or be prepared to toss them in a day or so. And if the beans are already slimy and wet, they're no longer safe to eat.

“While there's no reason to be worried about using frozen or canned food, there's a preference for frozen because of the amount of added salt [in canned], and some canned fruits have added sugar,” says Hachem. Still, canning also can improve the safety of foods, particularly those prone to harbouring pathogens.

Frozen produce is blanched (cooked in hot water quickly) and that affects the nutritional value slightly. Canning requires a lot more processing. Aside from certain fruits like tomatoes and pumpkins, canned goods are likely to have less nutritional value than frozen.

Canned green beans are a little more nutrient dense than fresh green beans. Raw green beans have a Nutrivore Score of 605. Canned green beans including the liquid have a Nutrivore Score of 661. So eat whichever one you prefer!

"I do not like canned vegetables, so here is the famous recipe, but using frozen, thawed green beans instead of canned."