National Lima Bean Respect Day

With a tendency to be overlooked and under-respected, National Lima Bean Respect Day is here to pay honor to this quiet little bean that packs a powerful punch!

Why Celebrate National Lima Bean Respect Day?

Any day that brings healthy food to the forefront is certainly worth celebrating! And National Lima Bean Respect Day is no exception.

Sometimes also referred to as “butter beans” because of their texture and flavor, lima beans are chock full of healthful goodness such as protein, iron, fiber, and other important minerals.

While most people probably don’t really give lima beans much of a thought, they are actually worth some attention, and this is just the day to do it.

How to Celebrate National Lima Bean Respect Day

Take some time to show lima beans the respect they deserve with some of these ideas for participating in National Lima Bean Respect Day:

Get Creative with Lima Beans

One of the reasons most people don’t think much of lima beans is that, on their own, they can be a bit bland and so fade into the background.

National Lima Bean Respect Day encourages lima bean lovers and bored eaters alike to get more intentional with the ways that they fix lima beans.

Cook them in chicken broth to add flavor. Kick up the heat by adding spices. Throw in some chopped onion and Swiss chard for more complex flavors.

Try Lima Beans for Dinner

Who knew that lima beans could be so versatile? Get online and do a quick search for some recipes that incorporate these affordable, healthy little beans with ideas such as these:

• Minestrone Soup with Lima Beans (and other Spring Greens)
• Spicy Succotash Dip with Lima Beans
• Slow Cooked Gumbo with Lima Beans
• Vegetarian Chili with Lima Beans

Plan a Visit to a Lima Bean Festival

Yes, that’s right, there is more than one festival that celebrates the venerable Lima Bean! And National Lima Bean Respect Day might be just the time to create an itinerary that will enable a visit to them both.

Check out these places that host an annual event in honor of the lima bean:

• Annual Lima Bean Festival in West Cape May, New Jersey. This one is typically celebrated in October when guests are invited to listen to live music, enjoy shopping locally made crafts and, obviously, experience unique lima bean recipes
• Lima Bean Fest in Oxnard, California. Taking place on the Oxnard Historic Farm Park in September, visitors can celebrate the rich history of this place that was once known as the Lima Bean Capital of the World

Looking for other days that encourage kids and adults alike to get more involved with eating healthy vegetables? Take a look at National Eat Your Vegetables Day in the middle of June, Exotic Vegetables and Star Fruit Month celebrated all throughout June, or National Pepper Month in November