Asparagus beans: the cultivation and use of vegetables

Asparagus beans are one of the varieties of beans, in the pods of which there are no hard fibers with an inner “permanent” layer. Such vegetables are actively used in the culinary field and are harvested for the winter. To get a good harvest, you should study the features of growing and using this product.

In the European countries, green beans began to be in demand in the 16th century, where it was imported from South America. After a short period of time, the vegetable became known in Russia, where at first it was called the “French bean” and was used as a decor for gardens and flower beds. As food, beans began to be used only at the beginning of the 18th century.

This type of bean has received the name from an asparagus on which the ripe pods are similar to taste. If we talk about the biological relationship, then by this indicator the plant is similar to the traditional beans. The main difference lies in the absence of fiber inside the beans and a hard film. Externally, plants differ in the form of a pod. Asparagus beans have elongated and narrowed pods.

Among the ingredients that are contained in beans, there are vitamins A, B, C, E along with minerals, trace elements (Fe, Ca, Zn, Mg), as well as folic acid. This composition allows us to consider beans not only tasty, but also nutritious food. The nutritional value of 47 kcal per 100 grams, so the beans are classified as dietary products.

People from ancient times were familiar with the beneficial properties of the vegetable. The Romans used the product not only in the culinary field, but also as a cosmetic preparation. Decorative powder was made from the beans, which had a softening effect on the face and helped to smooth wrinkles. Cleopatra also used a special face mask from this vegetable.

There are three categories of green beans:

• bush;
• curly;
• semi-floating

There are also differences in the shades of the pods, which depend on the variety of vegetation. You can find varieties with green, red, yellow and purple pods. All of them have a narrowed and elongated shape.

There may be a difference in the flowers, so some varieties are used as a decorative component on the plots.

There is a wide variety of varieties of this plant. Certain species have become favorites of Russian summer residents. Among the popular varieties include the following types:

• "Turk";
• "The Oil King";
• "Crane";
• "Tenderness";
• "Snow Maiden";
• The Purple Queen.

"Turk" is used as a decorative component. Scourges of this variety can grow up to three meters in height. Decorative qualities are due to dense foliage that covers the entire stem completely. In addition to the aesthetic component, “Turk” is able to give its owner nutritious beans with good taste. Pods can grow up to 20 cm. The color palette is presented in two variations: green and pink. The variety is characterized by good yields.

The “oil king” is considered an early ripe variety. The plant is a compact bush that does not grow more than 0.5 meters in height. The variety has a high degree of resistance to various diseases, parasites and does not require constant watering, is able to cope with a dry climate. Beans have a yellow color. The pod can grow up to 25 cm long. Asparagus beans of this sort are valued for their high taste properties as well as for good yield.

"Crane" is an early variety of plant that is similar in its taste with asparagus. Bushes of such beans grow small, their height reaches 0.5 m.Beans have a green color. The variety is in demand due to high yield.

"Tenderness" is called the princess of the royal dynasty. Vegetables have the color of pineapple, the pods are equipped with a wide spatula and are devoid of the parchment layer. The grade received the name for the tenderness which is combined with delicacy and harmonious tastes. Pods can be used completely to create various dishes. The process of fruiting will continue throughout the season until the first cooling.

The Purple Queen is a mid-season bean variety. It can grow on any soil, because it does not need special conditions for development. The length of the pods can reach 15 cm, the beans are purple in color. This type of bean is suitable for preservation. Diseases practically do not attack this kind of plants.

Asparagus beans "Snow Maiden" refers to the category of early ripening varieties and attracts many gardeners for its compact size. The height of the bush does not exceed 40 cm. The beans are painted in a light yellow color.

Due to the high concentration of various vitamins and mineral components, asparagus beans are considered to be a very nutritious product. The combination of folic acid with magnesium and potassium helps in preventing heart attacks. Also, this vegetable provides a quick recovery of immunity for colds and rheumatism. Elevated levels of iron affect the increase in the number of red blood cells. In this regard, the asparagus beans recommended in the treatment of anemia.

Useful properties of beans are concluded in a favorable effect on the human nervous system. Vegetable has a soothing effect, so it can be used as an antidepressant.

Doctors recommend adding such beans to your diet to people who have diabetes. The components present in these beans contain arginine elements that have an effect similar to insulin: they lower blood sugar. Also, beans are considered a good diuretic drug. She is responsible for removing excess salt, assisting in the treatment of gout and urolithiasis.

Asparagus bean juice is actively used as a drug that relieves a disease such as bursitis. To eliminate the pain affecting the joints and tendons, daily use of 150 g of freshly made juice is required. Two or three times a week you should eat beans.

Developed recipes to help cope with type 2 diabetes. Valuable properties of beans are concluded in a decrease in sugar, neutralization of edema, which are characteristic of diabetics. To create a healing dish, you will need 50 g of chopped dry pods, which are poured with two cups of boiling water and left overnight. After that, the resulting solution is filtered and taken at 120 g for 20 minutes before a meal.

You can pour 4 teaspoons of chopped pods with 1 liter of cold water. In this state, they should stay for about 8-10 hours. Then the solution is filtered and taken in the amount of one cup before each meal.

Some people use the combined options. This will require blueberry leaves. Dried asparagus bean pods with blueberry leaves (3 small spoons) are poured with 0.5 liter of boiling water, brought to a boil. Then the solution should cool and infuse for two hours. The drug should be filtered and consumed 120 g for 20 minutes before each meal.

The use of green beans in most cases has a positive effect on the human body.However, for some people, such a vegetable can be harmful. It is not allowed to take these vegetables to people who have chronic gastritis, gastric or duodenal ulcer, as well as colitis and cholecystitis.

To plant asparagus beans in open field, you should choose a plot with good lighting. In order for the seedlings to grow, it will require light, loose and non-acidic soil. Almost does not sprout beans in the lowlands, where there is an increased level of groundwater.

Organic fertilizers under the beans usually do not apply. During the autumn plowing of the territory, it will be necessary to add superphosphates to the soil, and in the spring season, before planting beans with seeds, it is necessary to treat the area with nitrophoska.

The landing time will depend on the climatic situation in the region where asparagus bean varieties are planted. In southern Russia, sowing begins in late April or in early May. For the regions of the Moscow region or in the middle lane, the season begins in the last days of May or in the first days of June.

When landing you need to consider that frost should not be returned. Almost all varieties of green beans fall into the category of heat-loving plants. Therefore, lowering the temperature can not only damage the development of the plant, but also lead to its death.

Seeds are made to be placed in furrows whose depth is 4-6 cm. There should be a distance of 30-60 cm between the rows. If the planting is done on sandy soil, a deeper planting of 6-8 cm can be made. Between the bushes you need to leave a distance of 15 -20 cm. If you plant the plants too close in the future, it will be inconvenient to care for vegetables and assemble the fruit.

Curly varieties of beans must be planted in the grooves, which are located around the support. You can sow dry seeds or grains that are soaked during the day. Soaking seeds is recommended in a solution with substances that affect growth (ash, honey, organic matter), the concentration of which is 1-2%. As an alternative, you can use a solution of potassium permanganate of a small concentration.

Planting asparagus beans in open ground should be carried out after the temperature in the street will exceed 15 degrees Celsius. It is necessary to exclude the return of frosts at night. Vegetables will grow well after root vegetables. Gardeners report that beans grown on a plot where carrots, corn or buriak previously grew are practically not ill and are actively developing.

Introduction of top dressing with the help of wood ash has a positive effect on the growth rate and yield indicators. She needs to cover the entire groove with a thin layer.

If the planting was carried out with the help of dry seeds, the first shoots will be born within 14 days. If soaking was carried out, the period of germination will be reduced to 10 days. In order for plants to rise together, you need to properly water future vegetables. If the beans grow too thick, thinning is required. When the bushes reach a height of 7-10 cm, you should resort to hilling.

Shoots will need to be watered moderately, since excess moisture leads to increased growth of the green mass of the bush. The bean culture does not need special care. The roots have a surface structure, for this reason, during an elevated temperature and when the soil dries to a considerable depth, the plants will need watering.

Special attention should be paid to the issue of soil moisture during flowering and ovary.If you make timely watering, destroy weeds, loosen the soil between rows, then in the end the plants will please their owner with a good harvest.

Top dressing with the help of nitrogen fertilizers is allowed only with the lack of such components. This will speak about the loss of saturation of plants, yellowness, loss of foliage, stunting, drying out. When identifying these signs should feed the plant infusion of mullein, chicken manure or nettle.

When budding occurs, the asparagus bean will require a certain complex of additives, which consists of 15 g of superphosphate and 5 g of potassium chloride. This dose is calculated per square meter. Alternatively, wood ash can be used.

Regular harvesting is the main condition under which you can get high quality products. Three weeks after flowering, ovaries will appear on the bushes, which need to be removed after 10 days. Continuous assembly of the pods makes it possible to give birth to new ones, which leads to an increase in yield.

Harvesting beans should be done in a selective manner during the ripening period (no need to wait until the beans are hard). The size of the pods in this period will be about 10-20 cm. Seeds that are located inside must have the size of a grain of wheat.

Growing bush and climbing species is slightly different. At that time, when the winding bushes become equal to the support, pinching the crown is required. This event has the following advantages:

• there is a height restriction, due to which the harvesting of fruits becomes easier;
• bush acquires a magnificent form, because after pinching begins active growth of shoots on the sides.

Since the curly beans can grow up to three meters, she will definitely need support. In the role of the pillar should be used high and strong products. The following options can be used as supports:

• various designs for fencing or fences;
• stair designs;
• walls arbors and other buildings;
• lower shoots from the trees.

Beans can grow close to different types of plants, because it affects the accumulation of nitrogen in the soil. However, an extra shadow for the beans may appear next to the branchy trees, which can lead to problems with the collection of fruits and the elimination of dried bushes. Therefore, it is recommended to plant bean crops in a well-lit area.

Also, many gardeners use a netting as a support. When choosing this design, it should be ensured that it is properly fixed. Otherwise, heavy bean bushes can overwhelm a shaky structure. It should also be borne in mind that the dried remnants of vegetation is rather difficult to pull out of the cells.

It is allowed to use trellis, which are made by using a pair of pillars (wood or metal is allowed), which are well fixed in the ground. Wire should be pulled between the posts. You can use twine or mesh.

Asparagus beans are actively used to create various culinary masterpieces. Cooking such food will be useful for those who watch their food and want to lose those extra pounds. The taste qualities of beans are preserved if they are cooked no later than three days after harvest. Vegetables are stored in the refrigerator for several days.

If winter storage is planned, vegetables can be frozen.With this method, products will be able to keep with them all the beneficial properties, and the taste will not be different from fresh beans.

Asparagus beans, many people use as an independent dish or combine it with other ingredients. Some prefer to boil the beans, using it as an ingredient for salad, soup, scrambled eggs, scrambled eggs and various sauces. Also in demand is the use of vegetables as a supplement to meat, fish and seafood dishes.

The age of the pods affects the taste of the product. To make a tasty meal, it is recommended to wash the vegetables in cold water, remove the tips and cut them into several pieces. More experienced cooks recommend resorting to soaking the pods throughout the day to compensate for all the moisture lost.

Digestion of the product is not allowed, as in this case it will begin to lose all its nutritional value and benefits. Asparagus beans can be stewed and cooked in a slow cooker, cooked on a steam bath, and roasted and baked. To extinguish the vegetables, you need to add a little vegetable oil, finely chopped onion, beans, 200 g of broth (based on meat, fish or vegetables) to the pan. The whole mixture will be stewed for half an hour. Then add some butter.

To fry the beans, heat the pan and place the vegetables in it. When the beans are tender and soft, you can add a little grated cheese and remove the dish from the stove. You can add chopped herbs with garlic.

Asparagus bean salad is popular. To create it you need to fill boiled beans with lemon sauce, sunflower oil and spices.

To make pickled beans, you will need the following ingredients:

• 0.3 kg of asparagus beans;
• 0.8 liters of pure water;
• 2 large spoons of vinegar (concentration 6%);
• 6 cloves of garlic;
• vegetable oil;
• salt (to taste).

For preparation, you will need to sterilize the jars, and also install a container with hot water under the marinade on the stove. Then you need to wash the beans, remove all the veins. When the water starts to boil, you should add salt, pepper, and vinegar with oil and add 3 cloves of garlic with bay leaf. This mixture should be boiled for 8 minutes, after which the beans are added to it. All components are cooked for 20 minutes on low heat.

Then the remaining garlic is added. After that, the mixture can be removed from the stove. When the marinade has cooled slightly, it is removed in a cold place for five hours. At the final stage, the beans are placed in a jar and closed with a lid. Then the dish should be removed in a cool place for 4-5 hours.

Harvesting continues throughout the growing season. Among the disadvantages of this culture is the fact that the beans can be stored for a short time. For this reason, most gardeners freeze vegetables for the winter in order to enjoy their favorite dishes throughout the year.

To prepare the product for the winter, you will need to cut the pods into small slices and send them to the freezer. If you want to cook frozen beans, it is washed before cooking.

To leave some beans for seeds, the pods should be plucked only after they have matured. The peeled pods are dried during the day, after which they can be used to remove the beans. The recommended temperature for storage is 5 degrees Celsius, so the seeds must be kept in refrigeration equipment.

To preserve beans for a long time, most people resort to pickling, preserving and freezing. Young beans are allowed for preservation, as they are endowed with plenty of nutrients and vitamins.To prepare such a billet, cut the vegetables into 3 cm slices and place them in boiling water for a couple of minutes. After that, the vegetables are reclined on a sieve and placed in jars (they must be sterilized).

For the marinade will need 1 liter of pure water and 50 grams of salt. It is poured into the jars in which the beans are located. Each small container contains 1 small spoonful of vinegar (80%). After that, you can roll banks.

Also, the beans are successfully frozen. So vegetables will be able to maintain their appearance along with nutritional properties until next summer. To prepare the beans, you must remove the ends of the pod, as well as the stem. After that, they are washed with cold water, dried and reclined in a colander. Alternatively, napkins can be used.

The best option for freezing - vacuum packaging or containers from which you can remove the air. In this case, the blanks will be crumbly and well preserved. Once finished with the package, you can put the vegetables in the freezer.

Another recipe for harvesting winter beans in the next video.