Edamame Beans

I learned about edamame beans when living in Asia. In Japan they would often be served as a snack in pods – later on I learned to appreciate them de-shelled. When served in pods, boil them between 5 to 10 minutes in salted water (just enough salt so that it tastes like sea water), cool them off in cold water or they will continue boiling in their shell. Serve them warm or cold. I better note, that you do not eat the shell. You easily release the beans from the shell by “popping” the beans out of the shell.

Or – you buy them frozen pre-boiled and steam them in a bit of water either in a pot or the microwave for about 5 minutes and they are ready. I use these for my girls’s snack boxes letting them release the beans from the shells, when they are eating.

You can also buy them frozen already released from their shells. I often use these for salads or in salads. Edamame beans are great when you need a quick salad as a side for any meats, pizzas, sandwiches or the like. All you have to do is to de-frost the beans and they are ready for use.