Christmas Lima Bean

Beautiful Christmas Lima Beans 

 circa 1840

I've grown Christmas Lima Beans before but never tried to cook with them when they were still green on the vine. Today I decided to give it a try.

I grew them on the arbor that has our new Male Hardy Kiwi Vine. It is steadily growing on the right side of the arbor. I knew it would not cover the entire arbor this year so I decided to grow some Christmas Lima beans on the other side. I noticed them the other day, and  they were filling in and covering the arbor with these beautiful green pods.

I did not pick the pods that were real thin. I looked for those that you could see a bean forming.

I just thought it would be appealing to try them in their green  stage. I have always liked Lima beans.

They are highly nutritious.

                                   I opened them and found these lovely pinkish green Lima beans. 

I munched on a few before I took them inside and they were very tender and sweet.

I picked a Jimmy Nardello pepper to put with the fresh Christmas Lima beans. I did find some dried on the vine.

I sauteed the beans in olive oil  with Jimmy Nardello Peppers, garlic and chives. It was fantastic! It surprised me since I have only eaten them dried in the winter.I believe we will be eating these this fall and growing more next year in our sustainable garden for 2013!

September 17th*******Update******* September 17th

I harvested some more today---they are just too pretty to eat. We are having 
cooler weather in the 70's during the day and dipping towards the 50's at night. These are still producing in this cool weather.