Top 40 Recipes - Simply the Best

American Indian Succotash Recipes - Fresh Corn and Beans with Modern Variations

The name for this American Indian dish, 'Succotash' is derived from the original word for "boiled corn kernels". It's primary ingredients are corn and beans, but many other ingredients were added. Modern Succotash has many varieties and can include tomatoes, onions, green, yellow or red bell peppers and sometimes meat. This collection of recipes starts with the basic form and includes a range of modern variations. It is so easy to craft your own version. The dishes are tasty, healthy whole foods packed with nutrients and natural goodness.

Traditional Style Succotash (with modern ingredients)

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups of water
• 4 ears of fresh sweet corn
• 1 1/2 cups of sliced green onions
• 1/2 cup of butter or lard (closer to the original)
• 2 bell pepper (1 red and one green), sliced and diced
• 3 - 4 cups of fresh lima beans (or other hard beans (frozen beans can also be used)

Using a heavy knife or cleaver, cut the husked cobs into 1 1/2 inch lengths. Place the beans, corn, butter into a large saucepan with 1 1/2 cups of water. Add freshly ground pepper and salt to taste. Cover and bring to a boil over using a high temperature setting. Reduce the heating and simmer for about 10 minutes. Next add the peppers and onions and simmer for an additional 6-10 minutes. Check that the beans are tender and the vegetables have started to soften. Remove the lid, increase the temperature under the pan and boil for 3-5 minutes until the liquid is reduced to about 1/2 cup.

Succotash with Sweet Potato, Zucchini, Tomatoes, Mint

Ingredients

• 2 Tablespoons olive oil
• 6 shallots, sliced length-ways
• 1 cup fresh or frozen corn kernels
• 2 1/2 Tablespoons lemon juice, divided
• 2 small zucchini, cut into small slices
• 3 Tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh mint
• 1 cup grape tomatoes (or quartered larger tomatoes)
• 1 clove garlic, minced or finely chopped (1 teaspoon)
• 1/2 sweet potato, peeled, hopped and cubed (1 1/2 cups)

Heat the olive oil in large skillet or frying pan over moderate heat. Add the sweet potato and shallots and toss to start frying. Sprinkle on 2 tablespoons of water and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice. Cover, and simmer vigorously for 3-5 minutes. Add the garlic, zucchini and a little extra water if the mixture is too dry. Cover, once again and cook for 6 minutes. Check that the vegetables have started to soften,

Add the tomatoes, corn and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice. Cook, uncovered for an extra 3-4 minutes, The juices should start to thicken as the starch from the sweet potato enters the mixture. Stir in the mint and the rest of the lemon juice (about 1/2 tablespoon). Season with salt and pepper.

Spicy Succotash with Squash

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 cups fresh or frozen corn
• 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin seed
• 1/2 cup vegetable or chicken broth
• 1/2 cup yellow onion, finely chopped
• 1 large red or green bell pepper, fine chopped
• 1 tablespoon of grape seed oil or rice bran oil
• 2 cups canned Lima beans (frozen lima beans, thawed)
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro (coriander), roughly chopped
• 1 jalapeno or other similar hot chili pepper, finely diced
• 1 cup summer squash, chopped into cubes ( you can also use butternut pumpkin)

Put a large heavy frying pan or sauté pan over very high heat and wait until it is hot. Add some oil and then fry the onion, corn and peppers until they just start to brown (about 5-7 minutes). You want them to caramelize slightly to enhance the taste. Add more oil and fry the squash for another 3 minutes over moderate after adding the cumin, garlic, salt and black pepper

Succotash with Okra, Tomatoes and Chiles

Ingredients

• 2 cups corn kernels
• 1/4 cup water (as required)
• black pepper and salt to taste
• 1 habanero chile, pricked with fork (or equivalent)
• 3 ripe tomatoes, peeled and coarsely chopped into quarters
• 1/2 lb young okra pods, trimmed and sliced into 1/2 -inch rounds

Put all the ingredients in heavy pot or saucepan. Add enough water to just cover the vegetables. bring to the boil and simmer over low heat for about 25 minutes. Check that the vegetables are cooked and the flavors have combined somewhat but do no overcook the dish. Remove the chile and serve hot.