Curried green beans – kerrieboontjies.
South Africans are generally partial to anything curried, and curried green beans, known as “kerrieboontjies” in Afrikaans, are no exception. They can be served hot, as a vegetable, or chilled, as a salad.
Curried salads make great sides that can be made ahead of time and used, as needed, from the fridge for at least a week. They complement meat, fish and many egg dishes.
Curried green beans remind me of my grandmother’s farm kitchen where a stock of bottled curried beans stood proud, on display, for ready-use. Today, I make them as needed and they are always enjoyed.
Other curried salads we enjoy are the really easy ‘Curried peach salad’ in our book, page 99, using canned peaches; ‘Curried dried fruit salad’, on page 98; and ‘Chakalaka’, on page 86.
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Serves: 8-10
- 1 pound green beans, shredded or sliced
- 1 medium onion, halved and sliced (half-rings)
- 1 large clove garlic, crushed
- 1 cup water
- ¾ cup vinegar
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- 1½ teaspoons mild curry powder
- ½ teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with a little cold water
- Place the beans, onion, garlic and water in a heavy-based saucepan and bring to the boil.
- Boil rapidly, uncovered, for 7-10 minutes until just cooked. Younger beans will cook more quickly.
- Combine the vinegar, sugar, salt, curry powder and turmeric in a measuring cup, add to the beans and bring to the boil while stirring.
- Thicken by slowly adding the cornstarch. Simmer for a further 2-3 minutes.
- Transfer to a glass container. When cold, cover and refrigerate until needed.
Frozen green beans can be used if fresh beans are not available.
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- Beans, onion, garlic and water in saucepan.
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- Boiled for 8-10 minutes until just cooked.
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- Vinegar, spices and cornstarch added.
Rennette says
Hi. If bottling what shelf life has curried green or peach curry salad have ?
Aileen says
That really depends on how well your jars and lids have been sterilized and whether they are properly sealed. I would work on using them within 6-12 months. I have kept chutney for well over a year.
Do not use if there is severe discoloration or fermentation (bubbling).
Liz van Vuuren says
Kerrie boontjie slaai
Aileen says
Thank you Liz!!
Donna Botha says
Can you freeze curried beans? I make & bottle regularly but usually battle to open the bottles when the time comes to using. Yip it’s an old age thing… just thought it would be so much easier just to defrost. Thanks.
Aileen says
Donna, I see no reason why curried beans can’t be frozen. You may want to up the flavoring slightly.
charmaine says
can u use self r
aising flour
Aileen says
Charmaine if you don’t have a little cornstarch (Maizena) I would rather leave the sauce runnier or bring it to a fast boil to concentrate it a bit. Save the precious flour for baking in these times of shortages!
Yola says
Thanks for this recipe. Could one replace the beans with peaches and then bottle them?
aileen says
Sorry this reply took so long, Yola. You may have to adjust the flavoring, depending on the sweetness of the peaches.
Christa says
Hi, this recipe is great. Can this recipe be bottled (canned)? Regards Christa
aileen says
Hi Christa – these curried beans can certainly be bottled – just be sure to sterilize the jars and tops. Sorry I took so long to get back to you, but thank you for writing!