Succotash originated from Narragansett Native Americans living in the area now known as Rhode Island. The name is derived from a Narragansett word meaning “broken or boiled corn kernels.” Native Americans introduced succotash to struggling colonists in the 1600s.
Happy 4th of July to all my fellow Americans! Today is the perfect time for a historic fresh vegetable side dish originally shared by Native Americans in the 1600s. Succotash is a highly underrated dish made with fresh sweet corn kernels, squash, onion, tomatoes, and lima or other beans. I remember enjoying it as a child with summer meals. Many Americans consider it a southern dish, but there are variations of the dish across the country. Now in modern times you can personalize the seasoning blend to be Greek, Latin, or Cajun. For example, you could use a green bell pepper or a red one. Today I am adding green beans, red bell pepper, cumin, and a jalapeno pepper. You can add whatever beans you have. Nearly every version has lima beans included but sometimes with the addition of other beans. I recommend using fresh vegetables in the summer if available except for the lima beans. You may use frozen lima beans defrosted.
Fresh Succotash
Use organic when available. Serves 6
Succotash
Ingredients
- 6 ears of corn kernels cut off the cob (abt 1 1/2 cups)
- 1/2 onion diced
- 1/2 red bell pepper diced
- 1 jalapeno pepper seeded and sliced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 cup diced fresh tomatoes
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 pinch cayenne pepper
- 2 zucchini cubed
- 1/4 cup fresh green beans cut to 1/2" pieces
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 1/2 tsp butter or margarine
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 cup baby lima beans (can use frozen and thawed)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil and butter in a skillet over medium heat
- Add onion and cook stirring often for about 6 minutes until onion is soft and slightly golden
- Add red pepper, jalapeno, and garlic; stir and cook for 3 or 4 minutes until red pepper is softened
- Stir tomatoes, cumin, black pepper, and cayenne pepper into onion mixture
- Cook and stir for 1 to 3 minutes until heated
- Add zucchini, green beans, water, and a pinch of salt
- Cook until zucchini is tender about 5 minutes
- Add corn and lima beans to mix and heat about 3 to 5 minutes
- Adjust salt and pepper to taste and serve
Thanks for the visit. Get exclusive free printables & all the news straight to your mailbox!
Please see my Link Parties page for the parties where this post was shared.
I have never heard of Succotash or eaten it before. It sounds a great side for summer meals.
like I said it was shared by the natives with pioneers in the 1600’s – it’s got so much good stuff in it that all you need is meat and bread and dessert
My Dad used to prepare succotash often as he grew up earing it in Pennsylvania where fresh corn is plentiful. I think I was the one of my siblings that liked the lima beans in it, but I like beans of all kinds. This is a perfect side for a barbecue as it is so full of vegetables to go along with the meat. Happy and safe 4th of July!
it is a great side dish for a BBQ – Happy 4th!
One of my favorites. I’ve never added zuchinni before. Nice addition. Thanks for sharing at #aclwcc.
the original recipe from the 1600’s included the 3 main crops of the Native Americans corn, squash, beans – Happy 4th of July!
Thanks for explaining succotash. I know the word from my childhood obsession with cowboy movies. Happy 4th July Carol.
hope you have a good week
Gracias por la receta.
I have never made succotash. I think I need to put that right. Thanks for the recipe Carol.
I’ve never tried Succotash but my mouth was watering reading this, definitely my favourite kind of ingredients, I will have to try this.
I’ve heard about Succotash. I heard the name when I was watching the three stooges show but never realized it was a dish. I think I would really enjoy Succotash because I enjoy all the materials. Thanks Carol.
Cruisin Paul
Succotash sounds really healthy and delicious. I actually had no clue that it was a dish and thought it was just an expression that Sylvester the cat always said in the looney tunes cartoons “suffering succotash”!!
It is totally a “new world” dish as the crops of corn, lima beans, tomatoes, and squash were not grown in Europe then. They were a gift from Native Americans. It is a funny sounding word and I loved Sylvester saying ‘suffering succotash!”