Instructions: Wash, trim ends and unzip strings as needed. Sort for size and maturity; some may be packed whole and upright like asparagus; others may be cut slanted in 1-inch pieces.

In large kettle of water at 170 degrees, place blanching basket or loosely tied cheesecloth bag of prepared beans and slow-cook for 5 minutes after water returns to temperature. Remove beans and pack into hot, clean jars leaving 1/2-inch headroom. Add salt if desired.

While packing beans into jars, bring water you used to blanch beans to boil. Pour boiling liquid over beans in jars, leaving 1/2-inch headroom. Remove trapped air with slender plastic spatula. Adjust hot lids; process at 10 pounds pressure for 25 minutes, beginning timing when canner indicates it has achieved pressure.

Remove from canner according to canners manual. Place jars on dish towels on counter and let cool. Test for proper seals by pushing down on flat part of each lid; if lid pops back, seal isnt complete. Either place in refrigerator and eat soon, or reseal according to manual instructions.

This recipe yields 1 quart.

Yield: 1 quart

If you would like to email yourself the recipe for later use, or share the recipe with your friends or family, enter the email addresses below and this recipe will be emailed to you and others as well.