Sunday, July 28, 2013

Consider the Bean . . .


I had plenty of time to consider the bean as I sat on the porch, snapping off the little winged stem ends . . .

These purple beans are green inside -- and will turn green as they cook.

We had some for dinner -- sauteed in olive oil with red peppers, purple onion, garlic, and thyme (and what a difference thyme makes to a humble bean!) -- but the rest were destined for the freezer.

It's been a routine for the past thirty eight years -- blanch for 3 minutes . . .

Plunge into cold water to cool before bagging . . .

But there's a new element to the routine! I've always stuck the beans into plastic freezer bags -- sealed with a twist tie or a zipper lock. But John sent off for this device that . . .

 (drum roll)  . . .

Vacuum  seals!!!

I am the world's most skeptical about new kitchen devices  -- partly because of the lack of counter space in our kitchen and partly because of . . . I don't know, maybe just natural orneriness. But I have to admit that this gizmo works like a charm.

By excluding all the air, supposedly the freezer life of various foods is doubled or tripled. The picture below shows the ice that has formed on pepper rings put up last year. That shouldn't happen with the vacuum seal.

The literature that accompanied the device shows special jars and boxes and an attachment to vacuum seal them. One can, it says, seal all sorts of non-food stuff to protect it from oxidation, corrosion, and moisture -- silverware, matches, clothing, batteries . . .

And my imagination takes off -- picturing a thrifty homemaker, vacuum sealing her way through the house till everything is securely encased in airtight plastic, to preserve it . . .

She looks around . . . and notices that her beloved husband is really showing signs of aging . . .

I wonder, she muses, and reaches for the roll of plastic.   
 
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12 comments:

katy gilmore said...

Love this - such a wander away from homegrown beans to homicide!

Vicki Lane said...

My mind leads a life of its own -- wild and free...

Juliet said...

The beans look delicious, and I can see the value of that little gadget.

Friko said...

Now that looks like a handy gadget to have around at harvest time.

I wonder if it works for husbands? Or perhaps yours took a look at you and thought . . . . . ?

Pat in east TN said...

My husband has been encouraging me to buy one of those. Mmmm, now I'm wondering ..... Actually it looks like a neat device and much better, and probably cheaper overall, then the Ziplock vacuum bags I use now.

Sam Hoffer / My Carolina Kitchen said...

You got a Food Saver. How cool is that!

Thanks for the tip on blanching the beans. My mother's freezer was loaded with beans (all shelled by us), corn, strawberries & peaches at the end of summer. Brings back good memories. She would have loved (and used) your new gadget.
Sam

Barbara Rogers said...

You can put an author in the kitchen, but you can't take away her imagination!

Brian Miller said...

haha....ok turned horror story there in the end...envisioning the vaccuum sealed husband in the freezer...lol

Polly Iyer said...

I'm going to order one, and not for my husband. :-)

NCmountainwoman said...

Too funny! And to think he ordered the device of his own demise.

We've had great green beans from our local market. And yes, thyme does make them better.

Martin said...

Some may say (rather unfairly, I think) that I have something similar. My wallet! Once closed, the contents rarely escape.

Lise said...

Grand idea! I think one of those gizmo's would be quite handy...my only problem is I am extremely limited in freezer space, but I must admit, the idea of a new gizmo and a new freezer are extremely appealing to me...I much prefer frozen fresh than canned!