Beans and courgettes

[fromthecrowsnest]

Along with many at this time of the year I have a surfeit of french beans and courgettes.

Anyone have ideas for keeping these two for the Wintertime.

Frozen beans can lose their summer freshness with freezing, and what can you do with courgettes other than making and freezing a ratatouille.

[Shetty]

I have always frozen my surplus beans (just blanch them for 1 min), they seemed to be allright.
Courgettes you can pickle or use in a cake and then freeze those.
Bit like a carrot cake, but with diced courgettes

[Husker]

We grate the extra courgettes we have and then freeze them. They can then be used for cake or bread and we can't tell any difference. Just be sure to use a quality freezer bag and squeeze out any excess air.

[fromthecrowsnest]

Thanks for the ideas Shetty and Husker.

You may like to try my soup; I've tried it twice, it's tastier than you think and it will freeze in large margarine tubs too.

Uses up a load of courgettes at a time!

3lbs sliced courgettes
3 large onions chopped
1 chicken or veg.stock cube in 28 fluid oz hot water
Bunch of fresh thyme from the garden if poss. or bouquet garni
Butter
Sea salt and black pepper

Melt the butter in a pan, add the onions and cook gently for 5 minutes.
Stir in the courgettes and cook for 10 minutes.
Stir in the stock cube mixture and bring to the boil.
Add the thyme or B/garni and seasoning and simmer for 30 minutes.

Remove the thyme or B/garni and allow to cool.

Blitz with a hand-blender until smooth.

You can add a swirl of cream for extra richness, but it's great without.

Enjoy.