Succotash
Succotash (from the Native American Narraganset language, msikwatash, meaning broken corn kernels) is a food dish consisting primarily of lima beans and corn (maize), possibly including pieces of cured meat. In some places in the American south any mixture of vegetables prepared with lima beans and topped with lard or butter is called succotash.
This method of preparing vegetables became very popular during the Great Depression in the United States. It was sometimes cooked in a casserole form, often with a light pie crust on top as in a traditional pot pie. Succotash is a traditional dish of many Thanksgiving celebrations in Pennsylvania and other states.
Succotash
2 cups frozen baby lima beans or fresh shelling beans
6 ears sweet corn, kernels and scrapings removed separately
4 tablespoons butter
Salt and freshly milled pepper
Chopped parsley
Paprika
Put the beans in a saucepan, cover them with water, and simmer until tender, several minutes for frozen beans, about 25 minutes for fresh. Drain, reserving the cooking water.
Add the corn kernels to the pan with the butter, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and enough of the cooking water to barely cover. Cook gently for 3 minutes, then stir in the scrapings.
Turn the heat to low and cook, without stirring, until most of the liquid is cooked off, 5 to 10 minutes. Season with pepper, pour into a serving dish, and add the parsley and a dash of paprika. Serve right away.
Note: A little chopped red pepper is a nice color and flavor addition.
Succotash w/ Bacon & Cream
4 strips bacon, diced
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 10-oz. package frozen corn kernels
1 16-oz. package frozen lima beans
4 tbsp. unsalted butter
3/4 cup milk or half-and-half
Salt and pepper to taste
Fry bacon in large saucepan until crisp; drain thoroughly, reserving enough grease to sauté the onions. Sauté the onion until soft.
Add the lima beans and water per package directions. Cook until slightly tender; add the corn and cook until beans are done.
Thoroughly drain the water. Add the bacon bits and butter; combine until melted. Add the milk and stir throughly. Add salt and pepper to taste.
