Summer Succotash — Down-Home Comfort

Related To:

Summer Succotash

Summer Succotash

Virginia Willis' Summer Succotash for FoodNetwork.com

Photo by: Virginia Willis ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Right Reserved

Virginia Willis, 2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Right Reserved

Succotash is essentially an all-American stir-fry. Succotash has many variants and adaptations, but by definition, nearly all contain corn and beans. Fresh vegetables are what make this recipe so special, so I gently suggest not to bother with this recipe unless you can make it with peak-of-summer produce. All the ingredients are diced about the same size, resulting in a stellar vegetable medley. I promise you will be rewarded! The key to succotash is that simple ingredients are combined with a minimum of fuss, and the results are a colorful and crisp burst of down-home comfort.

Choosing the vegetables is important. When faced with a mountain of corn at the grocery store, farmers market or produce stand, look for the silk at the top of the ear to be very dark brown, almost black. It is not unusual to see people peeling back the husks in search of ears with perfect rows of kernels. Just take a peek to make sure the ear is full and free of worm. Try to purchase corn still in the husk and keep it on until ready to cook, to keep the corn moist and sweet.

Virginia Willis' Summer Succotash for FoodNetwork.com

Summer Succotash

Virginia Willis' Summer Succotash for FoodNetwork.com

Photo by: Virginia Willis ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Right Reserved

Virginia Willis, 2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Right Reserved

If butter beans aren’t available, I often substitute shelled edamame or black-eyed peas. Small farm stands, local and state farmers markets, and even some grocery stores will carry shelled peas and butter beans in the summer. These pint-size containers are doubly precious, first in the sense that the peas or beans are already shelled, and secondly, in the sense that they are often more costly; born of the luxury of not having to shell your own.

According to the folks at my alma mater, the University of Georgia, the terms "lima bean" and "butter bean" are interchangeable. And, in Georgia the small, pale beans are known as butter beans, but in Texas they are called lima beans. It's going to depend on where you are in the country. There are a few differences in the varieties: Fordhooks are the big lima beans, and butter beans are typically smaller. Butter beans can be white, green or speckled. There's nothing quite like the taste of fresh butter beans, and they make this succotash really special.

Summer squash is a tender vegetable that differs from winter squash in that it is harvested before the rind hardens. It grows on bush-type plants, not vines that spread. There are many varieties, including yellow crookneck and straightneck, scallop, pattypan and zucchini, that all cook in the same amount of time. When preparing this succotash, I like to mix the varieties for an interesting contrast of color.

Bon Appétit, Y'all!
Get the Recipe: Summer Succotash

Georgia-born, French-trained Chef Virginia Willis has cooked lapin Normandie with Julia Child in France, prepared lunch for President Clinton and harvested capers in the shadow of a smoldering volcano in Sicily, but it all started in her grandmother's country kitchen. A Southern food authority, she is the author of Bon Appétit, Y'all and Basic to Brilliant, Y'all , among others. Follow her continuing exploits at VirginiaWillis.com.

Next Up

Cheesy Summer Squash Casserole — Down-Home Comfort

This recipe is just cheesy and rich enough to let the delicate flavor of the squash shine through.

Spiced Okra and Tomatoes — Down-Home Comfort

I am an okra missionary. I love okra. Those who hate it think it’s slimy, gooey and gummy. In my opinion, they haven’t met the right okra.

Mix-and-Match Pasta Salad

Design your perfect picnic dish. This recipe leads to thousands of combinations!

50 Slaw Recipes

Food Network Magazine dreamed up dozens of new twists on the classic summer side.

50 Potato Salads

Bring a different version to every barbecue, picnic and potluck this summer.

Bobby's Summer Pasta Salad Alternatives

Mix up Bobby's cool summer salads for your next potluck, picnic or outdoor get-together.

How to Make a Giant Creamsicle Cake This Summer

This jumbo pop is sure to make everyone smile.

How to Make a Life-Sized Pineapple Cake This Summer

This may just be the sweetest pineapple you’ll ever eat.