Lima/butter beans

[JudithM]

I just bought some fresh lima beans yesterday at the local farmer's market. I shelled them a little while ago. Now what do I do with them ? Thanks!

 

[piratesmate]

Mmmm! I love fresh lima beans!

We usually just cover the shelled beans with water & cook until tender. (Sorry, I don't know how long.) Then drain, return to the pan, toss in a piece of butter & pour a bit of milk on them. Not enough to cover. You don't want to boil the milk - just keep the beans on LOW until the rest of dinner is ready. Add salt & pepper to taste.

Of course there's always succotash - but I'm not crazy about them that way. They can be too dry.

Here are a couple of old PA Dutch recipes for Limas:

Creamed Limas
1 qt fresh lima beans
2 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp sugar
1 1/2 tsp flour
2 Tbl butter
1/8 tsp pepper
1 c whole milk
1/4 c cream
Cover beans with water & cook until tender & almost dry. Add seasoning & milk. When milk has come to a boil, add a paste made with the flour & cream. Cook until thickened - ~2 min. Serves 5.

Savory Limas
1/2 c diced bacon
2 Tbl fat
1 1/2 Tbl flour
1 1/4 tsp salt
3 c fresh lima beans
2 c water
1/2 c top or evaporated milk
1/4 tsp pepper
Fry bacon until crisp. Blend flour in 2 Tbl bacon fat. Add salt & pepper & slowly stir in water. Add the fresh limas & cook until tender. Add milk & serve. Serves 5-6.

Lima-Corn Fritters
1 c cooked Lima beans
2 c canned or fresh corn
4 Tbl flour
1 egg
1 tsp salt
1 tsp sugar
1/8 tsp pepper
1/4 c fat for frying
Mash cooked beans through a coarse strainer. Add corn, egg, flour & seasoning. Drop mixture into hot fat & brown on each side. Makes 8 - 10 fritters.

 

[JudithM]

Thanks for sharing the recipes. I appreciate it.