Christmas Limas are an intriguing variation on the traditional Lima. In Italy, you’ll find them as “Fagioli del Papa”, or “Pope’s beans”. Also known stateside as “Chestnut Lima”.
A true lima bean, originally from Peru (hence Lima), this gorgeous bean has all the “meat” of limas but with a chestnut flavor. They’re big and bold and can stand up to a chile sauce or curry or simply be enjoyed with a drizzle of olive oil and a few grates of dry goat cheese. One of my most successful inventions was cooked Christmas Limas in a gorgonzola sauce. I still swoon a little when I think about this dish!
If you grew up thinking you hated limas, you owe it to yourself to give this one a try.
Suggestions: Side dish, curry, mixed with wild mushrooms, soup ingredient.
This is one of those beans that would be great with tons of garlic and sautéed wild mushrooms!