Runner Bean Pickle

One thing all this rain is good for is growing the vegetables.  The runner beans are growing profusely, and by the time you have eaten as many as you can, and given loads away, you still have more than you can deal with, why not make the yummy runner bean pickle.  My Grandmother always made it, so did Mum, and each year I get the overwhelming urge to make it too.

Runner Bean Pickle

2lbs beans - ribbed and sliced
1 1/2lb onions - chopped
1 heaped tablespoon cornflour
1 tablespoon turmeric
1 tablespoon dry mustard
1lb demerara/soft brown sugar
1 1/2 pints vinegar.

Prepare the vegetables.
Cook beans until tender.
Cook onions in 1/2 pint vinegar
Mix dry ingredients into a smooth paste
with some vinegar.
Strain the beans, add the rest of vinegar and cook
for 10 mins.
Add sugar and other ingredients.
Boil further 10 mins.
Put in jars.

I like to add a couple of eating apples to
the recipe, which adds sweetness. But it is a personal choice.