NATIONAL LIMA BEAN RESPECT DAY

National Lima Bean Respect Day on April 20th gives the humble lima bean its due. When cooked, fresh lima beans have a creamy texture. However, dried lima beans once cooked serve up a bad reputation due to their graininess. There are ways to achieve smooth, buttery lima beans using dried beans.

First, it’s important to sort the beans and discard any wrinkled or cracked beans. Place the beans in a large bowl and cover them with three times as much water as you have beans. If any beans float to the top, immediately discard those, too. Soak the remaining beans overnight.

The next day, drain and rinse the beans three times. You want your water to run clear. Place the beans in a heavy saucepan and cover with fresh water. Bring the water to a boil and let simmer for about 1 hour or until the beans are tender. You can add them to other recipes and enjoy.

Lima beans are an excellent source of protein, iron, magnesium, potassium, and zinc. They can also increase energy levels by helping to restore more iron. Most of us have tried lima beans as a child and didn’t like them. It’s time to give them a second chance as adults. They are delicious in soups, stews, salads, casseroles, by themselves or mixed with other vegetables.

HOW TO OBSERVE #LimaBeanRespectDay

Enjoy lima beans with any of your meals as a way to celebrate the day. Share your thoughts about lima beans using #LimaBeanRespectDay on Social Media.

NATIONAL LIMA BEAN RESPECT DAY HISTORY

National Day Calendar continues researching the origins of this healthful holiday.

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