Let's Preserve: Snap Beans

Recommended Varieties

Green: Blue Lake types, Bush Kentucky Wonder 125, Tenderette (round podded), and Roma II (for freezing).

Wax/yellow: Gold Mine, Rocdor, Indy Gold, Wax Romano 264 (freezing only).

Quantity

An average of 14 pounds is needed per canner load of 7 quarts; an average of 9 pounds is needed per canner load of 9 pints. A bushel weighs 30 pounds and yields 12 to 20 quarts. An average of ¾ pound makes 1 pint of frozen beans.

Quality

Select filled, but tender, crisp pods. Remove and discard any diseased and rusty pods.

Preparation

Start with clean countertops and utensils. Wash hands with soap and warm water. All produce should be properly washed before it is consumed or preserved. Gently rub beans under cold running water. Do not soak produce in water. Snip off and discard ends, and remove strings, if appropriate. Leave whole or cut or snap into 1-inch (2.5-cm) pieces. Wash and drain prepared pieces.

Freezing Procedure

Don’t freeze more than 2 pounds of food per cubic foot of freezer capacity per day. Blanch 6 cups of raw prepared beans at a time. Place each batch in 1 gallon of boiling water. Blanch small pieces for 2 minutes and large pieces for 3 minutes after the water returns to a boil. Cool quickly in several changes of cold water and drain in a colander. Fill pint or quart zip-type plastic freezer bags or plastic freezer containers. Remove as much air as possible from freezer bags. Allow ½ inch (13 mm) of headspace in rigid plastic containers. Seal, label, and freeze. Another method to freeze the beans is to use a tray pack. Spread the blanched, cooled, and drained beans in a single layer on shallow trays or pans. Place in the freezer only long enough to freeze firm. Check often after the first hour to avoid loss of moisture. When beans are firmly frozen, package them, leaving no headspace, and seal. Tray-packed beans remain looser, allowing you to pour desired amount from the container.

Canning Procedure

This product cannot be safely canned in a boiling water bath or atmospheric steam canner. Wash jars. Prepare lids according to manufacturer's instructions. If desired, add 1 teaspoon of canning or pickling salt per quart.

For Raw Packs

Fill jars tightly with prepared beans, leaving 1 inch (2.5 cm) of headspace. Add boiling water over beans, leaving 1 inch (2.5 cm) of headspace. Remove air bubbles. Wipe the sealing surface of jars with a clean, damp paper towel. Add lids, tighten screw bands, and process in a pressure canner.

For Hot Packs

Cover prepared beans in a large pot with boiling water and boil for 5 minutes. Fill jars with beans and the cooking liquid, leaving 1 inch (2.5 cm) of headspace. Remove air bubbles. Wipe the sealing surface of jars with a clean, damp paper towel. Add lids, tighten screw bands, and process in a pressure canner.

To Process in a Pressure Canner

Place jar rack, 2 inches (5 cm) of water, and sealed jars in canner. Fasten lid and heat canner on high setting. After exhausting steam for 10 minutes, add weighted gauge or close petcock to pressurize the canner. Start timing the recommended process when the desired pressure is reached.

Regulate heat to maintain a uniform pressure. When the processing is complete, remove canner from heat. Air-cool canner until it is fully depressurized. Then slowly remove weighted gauge or open petcock, wait 10 more minutes, and unfasten and carefully remove canner lid.

Remove jars from canner with a jar lifter, being careful not to tilt the jars, to a wooden cutting board or towel-lined surface.

Do not retighten screw bands. Air-cool jars for 12 to 24 hours. Remove screw bands and check lid seals. If the center of the lid is indented, the jar is sealed. Wash, dry, label, and store sealed jars in a clean, cool, dark place. If the lid is unsealed, examine and replace jar if defective, use new lid, and reprocess as before or store in the refrigerator. Wash screw bands and store separately. Canned goods are best if consumed within a year and are safe as long as lids remain vacuum sealed.

Caution:
This product cannot be safely canned in a boiling water bath or atmospheric steam canner. Snap beans must be processed in a pressure canner.

For additional information about food preservation, visit the  Penn State Extension Home Food Preservation website or contact Penn State Extension in your county.

Prepared by Martha Zepp, extension project assistant; Andy Hirneisen, senior food safety educator; and Luke LaBorde, professor of food science.