Freezing green beans

[Amber]

I picked a bunch of green beans from my garden the other day and I need to freeze them. Do I need to do anything special to them first, or can I just put them in a baggie and freeze them? TIA

[LadyBird]

I would always wash mine and then cut them into inch long pieces, then baggy them, squeeze out as much air as possible, then freeze them. Worked great. And when I am ready to cook, I don't have to do any preparation of them.

[godsgracegiven]

I agree w/ Lyn, I would wash and cut them first. :)

[prov3v5-6]

I blanch mine first before freezing:

2 cups cut beans in a 2 qt caserole with about 1 tbsp water - covered (I use plastic wrap)
2-3 minutes in microwave on high
Immediately put in cold water bath until beans are cool. I put a strainer in an ice cube water bath in sink until the next batch is done in the microwave.
Drain beans in cold water bath and put on paper or towels and pat to dry (take the moisture off them.
Put into freezer bags, suck out as much air as you can.
Freeze.

This method has worked for us and we've enjoyed fresh-tasting green beans all winter long.