Thanksgiving Succotash ♥ Recipe

Today's Thanksgiving recipe: Succotash [SUHK-uh-tash], a simple mix of corn and lima beans topped with cheesy bread crumbs. Easy to convert to vegetarian and vegan versions.

How is it that corn -- or more specifically, maize -- indigenous to the Americas and one of the staple foods of Native Americans, so rarely makes its way onto Thanksgiving tables? Let's launch a 'Yes, we can!' effort to change that! Corn and lima beans are a magical combination, especially when their texture is contrasted with a little smooth heat from a poblano pepper. I was some surprised: this simple dish adds up to more than the sum of its parts.

What is succotash? I had to check, myself, even though the word itself and the sufferin' succotash of Sylvester the Cat are both embedded in the back of my brain. Succotash is a traditional American food with many regional variations. The two constants are lima beans and corn. Beans, potatoes and tomatoes may be added, some times the vegetables are topped with a crust, like a pot pie. Many succotash recipes bind the lima beans, corn and other vegetables with cream and eggs, making a thick casserole. In contrast to the more-typical rich Thanksgiving side dishes, this casserole uses broth and thus is positively healthful -- and it tastes like it, in a good way.

THANKSGIVING SUCCOTASH

Hands-on time: 20 minutes
Time to table: 50 minutes
Makes about 5 cups

1 tablespoon bacon grease or butter or olive oil
1/2 an onion, chopped fine
1 poblano pepper, chopped fine
8 ounces (about 2 cups) frozen corn
8 ounces (about 2 cups) frozen lima beans
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme, crumbled between fingers to release the oils
1 cup chicken stock
Salt & freshly ground pepper to taste

TOPPING
1/2 cup panko (Japanese bread crumbs) or whole wheat bread crumbs
1/4 cup (1 ounce) sharp cheddar cheese, grated
1/2 teaspoon olive oil

Preheat oven to 425F. In a large skillet, heat the fat on MEDIUM until shimmery. Add the onion and pepper as they're prepped, stirring to coat. Gently cook, stirring occasionally, until onions and peppers are soft but not brown. Add the remaining ingredients (except the topping) and bring to a boil. Cover and let cook until the beans and corn are both cooked, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a shallow baking dish. (If there's liquid left, transfer it too, it helps keep the beans moist.)

Mix topping ingredients, sprinkle over top. Bake for about 30 minutes until heated through and topping turns golden.

TO PREP AHEAD
DAY BEFORE Cook the vegetables, cover and refrigerate. Mix the topping.
BEFORE DINNER Return the vegetables to room temperature. Arrange in a greased baking dish. Sprinkle topping onto the vegetables. Bake at 425F for about 30 minutes until heated through and topping turns golden.

NUTRITION ESTIMATE Per 1/2 Cup: 191Cal; 5g Tot Fat; 2g Sat Fat; 11mg Cholesterol; 203mg Sodium; 29g Carb; 5g Fiber; 24NetCarb; 3g Sugar; 9g Protein; Weight Watchers 3 points

TODAY'S VEGETABLE RECIPE INSPIRATION
Adapted from Country Suppers: Simple, Hearty Fare For Family And Friends by Ruth Cousineau

KITCHEN NOTES
If you like, use a green or red bell pepper instead of a poblano pepper.
For the topping in the photo, I used a 1:1 mix of panko:cheddar. A 2:1 mixture is preferable and is specified in the recipe. The mix is taken from the recipe for One-Skillet Cauliflower with Cheese Sauce.
For a vegetarian dish, use olive oil rather than bacon grease and vegetable broth rather than chicken stock. For a vegan dish, substitute a no-dairy cheese for the cheddar.

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MORE THANKSGIVING RECIPE IDEAS for UNTRADITIONAL VEGETABLES
~ Roasted Fennel ~
~ Seared Radicchio ~
~ Reuben Casserole ~

~ Thanksgiving Vegetable Recipes 2008 ~

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Here at A Veggie Venture, vegetables are the real stars of the Thanksgiving table. So watch for new Thanksgiving recipes all November long, new additions to my collection of Thanksgiving vegetable recipes. Whether it's 2006's famous World's Best Green Bean Casserole or 2007's favorite Cauliflower Cream or a brand-new recipe which catches your fancy, this year, move vegetables to your center stage.
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