Leather Britches (Breeches) This is a way folks use to store green beans for the Winter months without having to can them. Wash your green beans, string them, cut the end off (where it connected to the plant). String them up with a needle and thread (I use fishing line) and hang them up to dry. I hang mine on the porch but am careful to cover them with a pillow case at night to keep the dew off of them. Some people break them up like they would normal green beans when canning them. Some leave them whole. These beans can be left to hang in a dry place all Winter. You just take off what you need for a meal. To cook these: Soak overnight in cool eater. Drain the water and rinse well. Put the beans in a pot and add a hamhock, fatback or other form of pork. Add an onions, a little garlic, salt and pepper. Let this cook for at least 3 hours, all day is even better.