John Westfield

I'm a lifelong cooking enthusiast with a special love for strange and underused ingredients. I hope this blog helps open your mind to more of the wonderful edible treasures around us.

Are lima beans perennial?

Growing as perennial vines in their native tropical environment, lima beans (Phaseolus lunatus) are broad, flat beans eaten green or dried. Plants are tolerant of salt and alkaline soils. Native to the New World, beans are a traditional protein complement to corn, rich in minerals, with a variety of tastes and colors. Are lima beans …

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Why do you soak lima beans before cooking?

No, soaking dried beans is not necessary, but soaking dry beans accomplishes two goals: cutting cooking time and reducing stomach distress. The beans will cook eventually if not pre-soaked but will take significantly longer. While you can simply plant dried lima beans without any treatment, soaking them in lukewarm water first will increase the speed …

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