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Summer Succotash

Succotash is a traditional stew of fresh butter beans and corn made velvety by the last-minute addition of butter. The basics—beans and corn—are a must, but beyond that it seems most every Southern family has its own particular version. I typically let the farmer’s market determine the mix of vegetables, but this rendition, with sweet bell peppers, basil, and summer squash, is one of my all-time favorites.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    serves 8 to 10

Ingredients

2 cups (about 1/2 pound) shelled fresh or frozen butter beans
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 Vidalia or other sweet white onion, chopped
1 red bell pepper, cored, seeded, and diced
2 summer squash (such as yellow crookneck or zucchini), diced
4 ears corn, shucked
2 tomatoes, cored and chopped, or 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, torn into pieces

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Rinse and drain the beans, discarding any blemished beans or bits of pod. Place the beans and 4 cups of water in a saucepan over medium-high heat and bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally and skimming foam from the top as needed. Add salt and black pepper to taste and simmer until the beans are crisp-tender, about 15 minutes. Rinse and drain well.

    Step 2

    Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until sizzling hot (see Know-how, page 100). Add the onion and cook and stir until tender, about 3 minutes. Add the bell pepper and continue to cook and stir for 2 to 3 minutes longer, until crisp-tender. Add the summer squash and cook until tender and golden around the edges, 5 to 6 minutes longer.

    Step 3

    While the squash are cooking, cut the corn from the cobs into a large bowl and scrape the stripped cobs with the back of the knife to release the juices into the bowl. Add the butter beans, corn kernels and their juices, tomatoes, and butter to the skillet, season with salt and black pepper to taste, and continue to cook just until the tomatoes begin to break down and the corn is tender, about 3 minutes. Stir in the basil and serve warm or at room temperature.

  2. On the Side

    Step 4

    Succotash’s buttery flavor and texture make it hearty enough to double as a vegetarian entrée spooned over Carolina Gold Rice (page 215) or Creamy Cheese Grits (page 208), but it also makes a great side for Spicy Pepper Jelly–Marinated Grilled Pork Tenderloin (page 163) or Easy Crab Cakes (page 111).

Reprinted with permission from Sara Foster's Southern Kitchen: Soulful, Traditional, Seasonal by Sara Foster. Copyright © 2011 by Sara Foster. Published by Random House. All Rights Reserved. Sara Foster is the owner of Foster's Market, the acclaimed gourmet take-out store/cafés in Durham and Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and the author of several cookbooks including The Foster's Market Cookbook, winner of the Best Cookbook Award from the Southeast Booksellers Association. She has appeared numerous times on Martha Stewart Living Television and NBC's Today show. She has also been featured in magazines such as More, House Beautiful, and Southern Living, and is featured regularly in Bon Appétit.
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