all about vegetables

GREEN BEANS BUNDLES
Available sporadically all year; peak May to August.Look for vivid green, crisp, tender beans without scars and well shaped, slim pods with small seeds. Buy beans of uniform size to ensure even cooking. Avoid bruised or large beans. Refrigerate, unwashed, in a plastic bag up to 2 days

LIMA BEANS
Available August and September.Look for green, shiny and pliable pods; beans should fill pods well. Avoid pods with signs of drying. Half the weight of a lima bean (the shell) is waste. Although yields vary according to size of bean, one pound when shelled will measure 11/2 to 2cups (375 to 500 ml) of beans. Buy plump-shelled beans with green to greenish-white skins. Refrigerate pods in a perforated plastic bag up to 3 days. Use as soon as possible since flavor is best when fresh. Shell beans just before using.