"Donn Thorson" wrote
"Bob Hobden" wrote:
"Donn Thorson" wrote
Scarlet Runner Bean Flower...

I thought it was very much a British veg, runner beans.
Grew some last season with salmon flowers, quite beautiful and the beans
were good too, not stringy like some.

In this area of the USA I don't know many people that grow them for the
beans. I've used them like shelling beans, as the pods are too tough and
have strings. Too much work...so I grow them mainly for their flowers.
My favorite Runner is the Painted Lady...

They are a favourite summer veg in the UK, the first boiling of Runner Beans
signifies summer. It's the young pods we eat.

Pick before the beans form inside the pods when the green pods are young and
sweet and tender. The more you pick them the more will form.
Cut off either end and slice off either edge which is where any stringiness
may be. Then slice diagonally into 8th inch thick slices and boil for about
10 to 12 mins with a small pinch of salt in the water.

Once the beans form inside the pod we usually throw them away, or keep the
beans for planting next year. The actual beans are not eaten by anyone I've
ever met so you probably wondered why we Brits like them. :-)

BTW the plants are perennial so you can keep the roots like Dahlias over
winter but we always plant new each year.


--
Regards
Bob Hobden
W.of London. UK