Whither goest lima beans?

[osage59]

Great minds think alike! ; )

[HardwareGrl]

Well, now you got me curious!
I used to like Lima beans in grade school too, but that's probably the last time I had any to tell the truth.
I come from Ag country, so my first guess about dissappearing Lima beans was an issue of transportation. I figured that maybe the fresh ones didn't travel so well.
But then I turned to good ole' Wikipedia...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lima_bean

They are apparently a very common allergen (who would have guessed?)
"Many people of European ancestry are allergic to Lima Beans due to a genetic mutation that occurred around the time the bean was introduced to that area of the world. In some European countries, 9 out of 10 people are allergic to the bean. This type of allergy is rare and serious reactions are very rare. The body's immune system produces immunoglobulin E (IgE - an antibody) and histamine in response to contact with the allergen."
So that is my guess, Lima beans have fallen out of favor with school lunch programs (where a lot of kids get introduced to different foods) so demand has also dropped. And before you poo-poo me, remember a lot of schools are peanut-free now because of allergies, remember?

And Nettie, don't be Hateing on Alexander, he's my hero!
Pesimists of the world unite!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p09_ULvFBlA

[osage59]

I'll be.....I never knew that!
Well, as of last Saturday I was not allergic. Whew!
You're probably right about schools being skittish....

[RaoulDuke]

We line up for limas around here. I grow several rows in the garden. Eat them fresh or blanch and freeze in their "pot liquor". The dried ones found in the grocery store are great, too. Slow cooked with some smoked pork for seasoning and served with baked cornbread. Air freshener may be necessary for the aftershocks!

---

Forgot to mention. I find the frozen ones in stores labeled as Fordhooks.

[osage59]

Duke,

Good to see that civilization and refined tastes still occupy some quarters
Might be time for me to get a pressure cooker!

[nettiesaur]

(02-29-2012 03:15 AM)HardwareGrl Wrote:  And Nettie, don't be Hateing on Alexander, he's my hero!
Pesimists of the world unite!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p09_ULvFBlA

Allergies, wow.
Anyway, you can not read that story with the usual read aloud voice, you have to whine the whole thing.

[osage59]

Anyway, you can not read that story with the usual read aloud voice, you have to whine the whole thing.

I think I'll stick with Masked Rider for now, hahaha

[nettiesaur]

(02-29-2012 07:51 PM)osage59 Wrote:  Anyway, you can not read that story with the usual read aloud voice, you have to whine the whole thing.

I think I'll stick with Masked Rider for now, hahaha

Well, Masked Rider is far more interesting, but reading that story in a whiny voice cracks up the little people.

[osage59]

More about all of this:

For the gardeners:

http://web.extension.illinois.edu/state/...wsID=20815


And for the cooks:

http://www.historyforkids.org/crafts/nor...cotash.htm


As a personal note our succotash included lima beans, sweet corn, black pepper, and a dash of milk. Obviously there's many possible variations on the theme : such as Duke's receipe of beans with cornbread on the side.

Makes me itchy for spring to start!

[burma.girl]

(03-01-2012 07:10 AM)osage59 Wrote:  Makes me itchy for spring to start!

....but it's the "good" kinda itchy - not the, "I'm highly allergic to Lima Beans" itchy, riiiight?