Test Kitchen expert Nick Iverson explains the four basic methods for how to cook fresh, tasty, lick-your-plate-clean green ...

Green beans should ... To freeze beans, wash them well then top and tail. Blanch, plunge into iced water, drain well and pack in polythene bags. Cook them from frozen in boiling, salted water.

Broad beans are at their best from the end of May through to mid-July, when the pods are pale green ... of fresh lemon juice and piling the verdant mash onto bruschetta for an easy summery nibble.

Cook up Potato and Bacon Hash with cheesy baked beans, roast Cannellini beans for a snack or make burgers out of black beans.