Bean fear

[leke]

Hi, I have just picked my very first batch of beans this year. I have no idea if I've picked them ripe enough or not though. I also don't know if I can eat the whole pod or perhaps I should have waited for the beans to ripen more, and then take them out of the pod. Damn, I'm such a noob.

Have I picked the beans too early?

Can I cook and eat these whole? If so, how long for?

Thanks.

[Marlingardener]

Fear not, those are lovely beans at their peak of perfection! Go ahead and eat the whole thing (removing stems, of course). Just don't overcook them, which is sacrilegious. Fresh beans should have a bit of "snap" left in them when cooked. Steaming lightly, sautéing in a bit of olive oil and garlic, or eating a few out of hand on the way back from the garden--you'll love the taste!
If you have too many for one meal, put them in a plastic bag in the vegetable drawer of the refrigerator. Don't wash them first because that helps them deteriorate more quickly. Eat them the next day or two, washing just before using.

[applestar]

Yep looks like the right stage to me too.
...some bean varieties have "strings" hard zippers along the seams. You can just bend and break off the end and those strings will pull off. Some varieties are "stringless".

[leke]

Thanks for the tips. The washing thing was especially interesting. I'll also keep a lookout for those strings.