End of fava bean season: Tips on freezing for winter meals
The fava bean season is slowly coming to an end. Before you despair for the taste of summer, stock up at the market and freeze them. You’ll thank yourself in the winter.
3:13 PM EDT, August 7, 2024
Everyone eagerly awaits the fava bean season, and we constantly buy bags of these green beans. The peak season is between July and August, so this is the last call to take care of your home supplies. Freezing is the perfect way to preserve their freshness, but improperly frozen fava beans can become rubbery and lose their flavor.
How to freeze fava beans?
If you want to enjoy the taste of fava beans outside of the season, freezing is the best solution. Although young fava beans work best, the older ones are not a hindrance either. They will differ in texture, as older fava beans may have tougher skins. Each of them should be washed immediately after purchase to remove any impurities.
It might seem that freezing is simple, but merely tossing fava beans into zip-lock bags is not the best solution. They lose their color and look less appetizing. Blanching helps preserve all their taste qualities.
Remember to blanch
Blanching is the process of briefly submerging the product in boiling water and then immediately transferring it to icy water. This stops the action of enzymes that cause the breakdown of vitamins and preserves the color. Blanched fava beans remain green and retain their nutritional properties.
First and foremost, thoroughly sort the fava beans, removing any damaged or contaminated pods. Then, without peeling, place the fava beans into boiling, lightly salted water. After one minute of boiling, immediately transfer them to a bowl of icy water to halt the cooking process. This way, the fava beans retain their crunchiness and beautiful appearance. After cooling and drying, you can spread the fava beans on a flat surface and freeze them.
How to defrost fava beans
Frozen fava beans are perfect for those hard, no-vegetable times. They can stay in the freezer for up to 12 months, making it ideal to switch to fresh ones later. The question arises, though, how to defrost them?
Throwing frozen fava beans directly into boiling water shortens the preparation time of any dish. This is an ideal solution when you need them quickly. If you plan to use the fava beans in salads or other dishes where their crunchiness is important, it’s worth defrosting them in the fridge or a bowl of cold water beforehand.
Do not defrost them in the microwave, as they will lose their flavor and nutritional properties.
