As a child I hated lima beans. I mean, what child doesn’t? They’re lima beans! They’re the punchline of a thousand jokes, the substance of a thousand threats, the stuff of a thousand nightmares. Look up “lima beans” in the dictionary and you will see, “The food that all children and most adults hate.”
It wasn’t until I was an adult that I realized I had never even tasted lima beans. They’ve been so demonized that they rarely show up on any restaurant menu or home table. And once I did taste them, I really can’t tell you why. Little velvet pillows with a mildly nutty flavor — what’s not to like?
It might help that the first time I ever tasted lima beans was in this succotash. (Frankly it’s the only way I’ve ever tasted lima beans; as I mentioned, they’re not common in restaurants, and at home, well, why mess with perfection?) Succotash is such a marvelous word to begin with, and this particular recipe, with the savory notes of peppers and onions and the snap of ginger added to the typical fare of lima beans and corn, lives up to the excitement of the name. It’s not sufferin’ succotash — it’s sprightly succotash, savory succotash, satisfying succotash.
I read about the recipe in my beloved Laurie Colwin, and, as with so many of her recipes, I was inspired to make it, even though it wasn’t part of my normal culinary vocabulary. And again, as with so many of her recipes, this has become an absolute staple in our house. I like to serve it as a side dish to grilled sausages, or chicken. I like to eat it cold on toast. I like to store it in an old mayonnaise jar in my refrigerator so I can dip in my spoon at odd hours for a mouthful of texture and flavor. All I can say is thank goodness for Ms. Colwin, because it turns out that I LOVE lima beans. Who knew?
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- ½ medium onion, chopped
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 2 T olive oil
- 10 oz. frozen sweet corn
- 10 oz. frozen baby lima beans
- ⅓ c. water
- 1 T sugar
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 T dried ginger
- Saute the garlic, onion and pepper in the olive oil over medium low heat until the vegetables are soft, the onions are translucent, and the whole thing is tinged with red. Add the beans, the corn and the water. Cover and cook for about 10 minutes until the vegetables are cooked through, then uncover and let it caramelize a bit. Never undercook lima beans. Add ginger and sugar, stir, and season to taste. Serve hot or cold and save the leftovers.
Anyone who’s a friend of Laurie Colwin’s is a friend of mine. My office is about five NYC blocks from where she lived in Chelsea, and I often think I’m walking the streets she walked.
MY recipe is for lima beans braised in cream. Delicious, silky, eat-more-than-you should lima beans. I actually like Fordhook limas better than baby limas, but they are more difficult to find in my neighborhood.
I’ve never made this recipe nor have I made the spinach with jalapenos and jack cheese that you made for father’s day. They are both now heading my list of new recipes to try!
I found you through Ree’s new site!
I must say I’m intrigued by this recipe. I just barely finished Laurie’s first Home Cooking book and didn’t care for it – I’m sorry if that offends. I was having a hard time – not too enthused about her cooking style at all and what turned me running in the other direction was the chapter on how to avoid grilling at all costs. I’m currently thoroughly enjoying the book Julie & Julia and lined up after that is Ruth Reichl’s latest.
Anyway it’s still nice to “meet” you and your lovely looking blog – I promise I’ll stop by again soon!
Your dictionary is mistaken, Kate. I love lima beans. I have always loved lima beans! As a child they were my favorite bean, and I daresay they still are. Nutty pillows, indeed; plus they’re not as mealy as kidney, pinto, or fava beans. And peas! (Is that a bean?) Blech! As I child I liked Birdseye, heated and possibly buttered. As an adult, I have found them at Bone Lick Park on Greenwich Ave, served with chunks of barbequed ham. Deeeelicious!
Is the one tablespoon dried ginger correct? I have never used more than one teaspoon of dried ginger at one time (fresh, yes, but not dried) so I was afraid to try this recipe.
I use that much ginger, but I do love ginger. You could start with less and add more to taste.
I use about a quarter to a third that much.
The first time I made it the ginger was de trop.
But otherwise this is delicious!!!