How to Dry String Beans

If your garden has produced a bumper crop of beans and you don't know what to do with them, consider drying them. Dried green beans are great added to soups or stews, and can be reconstituted in a bit of water to replace beans in casseroles.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Fresh green beans
• Electric food dehydrator
• Ice
• Strainer

1. Sort the green beans and discard any overripe, shriveled, soft, or damaged beans. Remove any tough strings, and pinch off both ends. Rinse the beans throughly under cool running water, and cut them into pieces about 1 inch long.
2. Fill a large bowl with ice water and set it aside.
3. Bring a large pot of water to boil, and add the beans to the boiling water. As soon as you add the beans, cover the pot and set your timer for three minutes. If you need to blanch more batches, you can use the same water, adding more fresh water if needed.
4. Strain the beans immediately and add them to the bowl of ice to stop the cooking process. Allow the beans to remain in the ice water for about 5 minutes, or until they're completely cold.
5. Spread the cooled beans in a single layer on drying trays. Allow them to dry at 130 degrees F for 8 to 10 hours, until they become dry and brittle.

Tips & Warnings

• Green beans can be dried in the sun only if you can guarantee 3 to 4 days with temperatures at least 100 degrees F.