proudgm, I feel your pain. I was covering mine last night and telling my husband that all I wanted was enough seeds for next yr. I don't know what the pods look like when dried. The stem part of some of mine are beginning to turn kind of woody looking. I assume that is the pod beginning to dry. Kathy

What color are the seeds? I just opened one of my frost bitten pods and the seed are white.

Yes the pods get woody and the seeds are white and hard. If they are big and white and the seed husk is still a little soft then they might be unripe.
These seeds can stand a little frost I think so you should be ok. Just make sure you leave them on until the pod dries out and gets a little "crunchy." The seed can also look golden or brownish if it has been weathered a bit.

I left the pods on the vine until they were dry and it frosted a couple of nights. The seeds are are hard but they range in color from cream to tan to dark brown. Are they all viable seeds? Thanks!