Christmas Lima Beans
 
The Christmas Lima Bean is a large, flat, heirloom-variety pole bean with a swirling maroon pattern on a white background. These markings remain visible after cooking. Its chestnut-like flavor and flaky texture make it a distinctive bean for a variety of culinary applications.
Colorful pattern remains after cooking
High in fiber and protein
Naturally gluten free
Heirloom variety
 
Basic Prep
Carefully sort beans and rinse thoroughly. Place in a large pot with a lid, and add enough water to cover by 1 inch. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 90 minutes or until tender.
 
Suggested Uses
Experiment with unique variations on the traditional corn and lima bean succotash, incorporating other seasonal vegetables, fresh herbs and even chiles
Add to fresh seasonal vegetable soups
Toss cooked beans with fresh vegetables of your choice, cooked pasta and vinaigrette
 
Description
The Christmas Lima Bean (Phaseolus limensis), also sometimes called the "chestnut lima" due to its similarity in taste to the nut, is an heirloom-variety pole bean related to the standard lima bean and the giant Peruvian lima.
It is quarter-sized, flat, and white, with a swirling maroon color pattern that remains after cooking.
The bean's chestnut flavor, combined with its festive coloring, led to the name Christmas lima.
The hardy plant grows well in the hot, dry conditions of the high desert, producing large yields.
Christmas lima beans have a flaky, baked potato-like texture when cooked.
They are perfect for countless variations on traditional succotash, salads, fresh vegetable-based soups, stews and casseroles.
Christmas lima beans are members of the larger family of legumes, plants used for their edible seeds and pods that boast a high nutrient density with low-maintenance production and storage.
They contain high levels of protein, essential minerals and fiber while maintaining a low level of fats.
 
Storage & handling
Store in a dry, cool place.
 
Ingredients
Christmas lima beans.