Sweet Baby Lima’s

Sweet Baby Lima’s recipe is a must for your recipe box. Assuming that you have planted lima’s in your garden, you will love the delicate fresh flavor. I still remember shelling peas and beans with my Grandmother Louise one Summer. During my visit, her friends would sit with us for a spell in the yard and share in the work. My little ears enjoyed the adult stories as we worked on the peas and beans.

I don’t recall the conversations of those visits. However, I do recall knowing Louise and friends were sharing secrets.  Probably conversations that my Mother would not have approved of for little ears. I remember that I loved every minute of it, even though I was shellin’ peas. If you have a secret, send me an email. I will pick up a bushel of peas and we can sit on the porch for a spell.

pink-note-shelling-peas

James McNeill Whistler
Date: c.1883 – c.1884
Style: Impressionism
Media: watercolor, paper

In season, you may buy fresh baby lima beans at your local farmer’s market fresh or frozen. Fresh baby lima’s are available from June to September. Typically you may buy frozen lima’s all year-long from your grocer’s freezer. Baby Lima’s store well in the freezer.

When to serve Sweet Baby Lima’s

Within less than an hour and minimal involvement, you will have a healthy and tasty side dish. Fresh baby lima’s may enter the pot hard but easily yield to a creamy bite of delicious. Sweet Baby Lima’s will stand up to any protein that you may choose to serve alongside this versatile bean. Lima beans may also be cooked ahead and reheated before serving.  Always a good idea to have a couple of “make ahead recipes” in your recipe box.

Treasure of recipes in antique box on vintage linen
Treasure of recipes in antique box

In addition to the flavor of lima beans, this baby bean delivers nutrition in a tiny bite. Lima Beans are low in cholesterol and fat. Lima beans are high in B vitamins, folate,  iron, protein,  fiber and potassium. Lima’s also contain phytochemicals coumestrol and saponion which may have anticancer benefits. Add Sweet Baby Lima’s  to your menu planning, they will complement your meal.

As early as the 1500’s the baby lima bean was on the table for diners. The tiny bean originated in Lima Peru and shared the name. Amusingly, the pronunciation did not go with the lima bean to the South. These baby beans have always been called lye-ma beans not lee-ma  beans as in Peru.

Early Sweet Baby Lima Drama

No matter it’s origin, as a child, I still remember my horror at being served succotash. And you want me to eat that? Our parents really wanted to see empty plates before you left the table.  Succotash included lima’s, corn and tomatoes mixed together. Even I didn’t want to eat succotash as a child. Who mixes limas, corn and tomatoes all together?

Alexa Shout out to Sly and the Family Stone’s “Hot Fun in the Summertime”

 

 

 

 

Sweet Baby Lima's in Vintage Jadite Bowl www.diningwithmimi.com
Sweet Baby, Lima's
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Print Recipe
Sweet baby lima's cooked simply with garlic and seasoning to yield a fresh vegetable. Gluten-Free
Servings Prep Time
6-8 People 10 Minutes
Cook Time
30-40 Minutes
Servings Prep Time
6-8 People 10 Minutes
Cook Time
30-40 Minutes
Sweet Baby Lima's in Vintage Jadite Bowl www.diningwithmimi.com
Sweet Baby, Lima's
Votes: 0
Rating: 0
Rate this recipe!
Print Recipe
Sweet baby lima's cooked simply with garlic and seasoning to yield a fresh vegetable. Gluten-Free
Servings Prep Time
6-8 People 10 Minutes
Cook Time
30-40 Minutes
Servings Prep Time
6-8 People 10 Minutes
Cook Time
30-40 Minutes
Ingredients
Servings: People
Units:
Instructions
  1. In a medium pot on high heat add lima beans and water. Bring to a boil
  2. Add in seasonings and garlic. Turn down on low heat and cover with lid but not all the way. This will prevent pot from boiling over. Cook for 30-40 minutes or until tender.
    Pot of Sweet Baby Limas with water and garlic www.diningwithmimi.com
  3. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Serve immediately.
    Sweet Baby Lima's in Vintage Jadite Bowl www.diningwithmimi.com
  4. Lagniappe: When lima's are available in season, cook a bunch and add to freezer. Lima's freeze well. Package in one quart freezer bags and remove as needed.

Author: Mimi

I have a love affair with food, entertaining, travel and music. www.diningwithmimi.com is a vehicle for me to share my journey of food, travel and music. Traveling allows exposure to all types of foods and flavors. I have learned to cook by being hungry, curious and willing to fail. Food is another form of art and creative expression. Join me on my journey. Copyright 2016-2022 by Mimi

6 thoughts on “Sweet Baby Lima’s”

  1. I love limas! And even like succatash? Do you remember eating butter beans? My grandmother in NC would always have those in her freezer.

    1. Me too! My palate has grown up since I turned my nose up at the succotash that my parents served ages ago. I love butter beans too. Grandmother’s are especially good at cooking butter or lima beans. I think they use Granny-magic.

  2. I love the baby green limas! I cook them with a lot of water, let them cook down until there’s a thick gravy type in the pot with the beans but not overcook! I love hot cornbread with mine and can make a meal here! I season with ham and salt to taste!

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