April 20th is Lima Bean Respect Day #LimaBeanRespectDay. I don’t know about you but I don’t have any respect for Lima Beans because Charlie and I don’t care for #LimaBeans. Neither does David. My mom liked Lima Beans and I think my sister and brother does to.
As for my dad and Suzzane I don’t know if they liked Lima Beans or not. But I do remember my grandmother Dorie cooking both Lima Beans and #nNavyBeans. Did your parents or grandparents make Lima Beans? Do you like Lima Beans if so do you cook Lima Beans if so how do you prepare Lima Beans?
If you or someone you know liked Lima Beans then join us today for Lima Bean Respect Day which falls on April 20th. People are eagerly preparing to celebrate with enthusiasm by doing the best thing possible and indulging in Lima Beans for an entire day.
Though famously referred to as ‘Butter Beans,’ Lima Beans have many other names: including Wax Bean, Chad Bean, Sieva Bean, Double Bean, Rangoon Bean, Burma Bean, and Madagascar Bean are among many others.
They are very much edible. Lima Bean Respect Day, however, was created to give recognition to the wonderful, tasty, nutritious Legumes, Lima Beans. People observe Lima Bean Respect Day by making delicious Lima Bean recipes and enjoying them with friends and family.
Did you know Limas originated from Peru, where they were grown and cultivated way before Corn. Lima was named after Lima, the Capital City of Peru, where the Bean was first found. Limas, which have many more names than any other Bean all over the world, are known as the largest among the Bean family. The Andes’ Inca Empire considered Limas as one of its most common and basic food.
Lima Beans are so deep-rooted in the culture of the Peruvians that they have relics in the Moche people’s pottery. The Moche people were settlers of Northern Peru during the 15th Century. The Lima Bean is one of the oldest Beans sourced from the Americas, remnants of which have timestamps from 6000 to 5000 B.C. Two main branches of the Lima genus were domesticated in Latin America.
Its scientific name ‘Phaseolus Lunatus’ technically means ‘half-moon,’ which pertains to the Bean shape. Did you know Lima Bean symbolizes both War and eternal life. Lima Beans are rich in protein, fiber, and other nutrients, Lima Beans has the accolade of being a superfood but could also be poisonous when eaten raw.
The exact origin of Lima Bean Respect Day is still elusive. It goes without saying, but we’ll say it anyway: the person or group who came up with this bizarre celebration must have been lovers of Lima Beans. It could be that the person deemed it right to celebrate such a day because he either loved the delectable taste of this Legume or truly believed in its nutritional values and health benefits.
Lima Bean Respect Day Activities
- Be it your regular daily humdrum or an adventurous experiment, add Lima Beans to a new formula, give the yummy, nutritious Lima beans the due it deserves.
- Encourage family and friends to discover and enjoy Lima Bean Respect Day and have a new sense of reverence towards Lima Beans. Inspire even strangers to have a profound delight in celebrating this special occasion by posting hashtags.
- Varying perceptions about Lima Beans abound and it is said Lima Beans can be unhealthy and poisonous and makes one sick. On the other hand, Lima Beans is also said to be yummy, nutritious, and healthy, with abundant remedial benefits to the human body, and even supports weight loss. Lima Bean Respect Day is a good occasion to appreciate and have a thorough understanding of this food.
Facts About Lima Beans
- Lima Beans originate from Central and South America and are a part of the Legume family.
- During Peru’s Spanish Viceroyalty, Lima Beans were exported to America and Europe in boxes labeled ‘Lima Peru,’ hence its name.
- It is depicted in the fine art and pottery of the Epoch that Lima Beans symbolize War and peace.
- Packed in protein, fiber, and other nutrients, raw Lima Beans also contains Linamarin, which decomposes into the toxic chemical hydrogen cyanide.
- Lima Beans flourishes in full Sun but will propagate and yield a lesser harvest in partial shade
Why People Love Lima Bean Respect Day
- Every person has his or her preference, but a day to celebrate Lima Beans would encourage other people to partake in a Lima Beans for a meal, and they would discover how yummy Lima Beans really is.
- Lima Beans have a dissimilar taste with other Legumes in that Lima Beans tastes velvety, Buttery, and creamy.
- If you’re health-conscious you’d love to indulge in this nutritious superfood that is rich in protein, fiber, iron, and other nutrients. Lima Bean are also low-glycemic, which is good for diabetics and increases weight loss, stabilizes Sugar levels, and promotes a healthy heart. Eating healthy for a day is undeniably a feel-good day. Looks like I need to try Lima Beans if I want to lose weight. Want to join me?
- Celebrating Lima Bean Respect Day is not only is good for one’s well-being, but Lima Bean Respect Day also supports and pushes social awareness not just about a day of eating Lima Beans but teaches people the long-term vision of making people aware of Lima Beans.
Recipe for Southern Lima Beans (Butter Beans)
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 10 minutes
Servings 10 Calories209 cal
Ingredients
- 1 pound large dried lima beans
- 1 large smoked ham hock* Salt Pork or Bacon
- 9 cups water
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- ▢Rinse the beans and check for any foreign particles.
- ▢Add the beans to a large pot or dutch oven. Add the ham hock, water, and salt. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to a low boil, and cook for about 20 minutes. Reduce the heat to a simmer, cover tightly and cook for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, or until the beans are tender to your liking. Add water to keep the beans just covered. Stir less frequently to allow the beans to stay intact, or stir more often to create a thick, rich broth. Be sure to see the blog post for details. Add the pepper and additional salt to taste. If desired, remove the hock, shred the meat, and return it to the pot.
Slow Cooker Method:
- ▢Place beans, water, ham hock, salt and pepper in a 6 quart slow cooker and cover. Cook on high for 5 hours (or low for 7 to 8 hours) or until the beans are tender to your liking. Stir well and adjust seasoning to your taste. If needed, add hot water to the beans to keep them covered as to not drop the temperature as they cook. If desired, remove the hock, shred the meat, and return it to the slow cooker.
If you do not have Ham Hook you can substitute the following a smoked ham bone, smoked pork neck bones, smoked turkey wings, or smoked sausage will also work. You’ll need about 1 pound.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
