Have you ever come across something you’ve always heard about, but didn’t really know what it was? That happened to me not too long ago.

 

Definition

Recently, I was in the store browsing the canned vegetables section when the name on a can caught my attention. “Triple Succotash.” I’ve heard of succotash. I even knew it was food, but to be honest, I had no idea exactly what kind of food.

So, for those who don’t know, succotash is a vegetable dish made with vegetables from the Americas, specifically, sweet corn and lima beans.

 

History

In 1524, when explorer Giovanni de Verrazzano arrived in Narragansett Bay (in what is now Rhode Island), he met the Narragansett people. They were a powerful Native American tribe and, like other Native Americans, had been growing maize (aka corn) and lima beans for hundreds of years. After English colonists arrived in 1620, the Narragansetts not only taught them how to grow these crops, but also how to make succotash.

Did You Know…

• Native peoples in southern Mexico domesticated maize 10,000 years ago. It spread as far north as present-day Maine about 500 years before Europeans first began colonizing New England.
• Native Americans planted corn, beans, and squash together. This agricultural system was known as milpa, or The Three Sisters.
• Succotash is believed to originally have been created by the Narragansett people.
• “Succotash” is derived from the Narragansett word “msíckquatash.” It roughly translates to “boiled corn kernels,” “boiled whole kernels of corn,” or “broken corn.”
• For the European colonial immigrants, succotash referred to a simmering pot of corn to which they’d then add other ingredients.

 

The Recipe

The original, savory succotash dish was a combination of corn and lima beans, ingredients not known to most Europeans at the time. It provided the Native Americans with a simple, but nourishing and balanced meal. It did the same for struggling colonial immigrants and soon became a staple food in their kitchens because its ingredients were both affordable and available.

In short order, succotash began to evolve. European immigrants had brought with them new ingredients like tomatoes and peppers. They added these new veggies, as well as meat, to the dish.

Did You Know…

• The first known documented use of the word succotash happened in 1751.
• Eventually, succotash became a traditional dish eaten at many New England Thanksgiving meals.
• Succotash’s popularity rose in the 1800s, especially in the New England and Southern states. It was included in various cookbooks as a comforting home-cooked meal.
• The popularity of succotash also increased during tough economic times, like during the Great Depression and World War II.

 

Variations

Over time, succotash recipes developed regional variations as they spread across the country. From the British colonists’ succotash stew to a succotash casserole topped with a light pie crust, the original dish has taken on a variety of forms and cooking methods. Likewise, as people adapted the dish to include locally harvested and hunted foods, the dish’s original two-veggie ingredients expanded.

While it must always include corn and lima beans, succotash now often contains tomatoes, bell peppers (any variety), onions, okra, potatoes, or turnips. It may be seasoned with butter, salt, black pepper, and fresh herbs like basil, parsley, or cilantro, and may include proteins like bacon, sausage, shrimp, corned beef, or salt pork.

Did You Know…

• Southerners tend to add tomatoes and okra to their succotash, and season with bacon drippings. New Englanders often add cream and seafood.
• “Kitchen Sink” succotash contains corn, lima beans, okra, andouille (smoked pork sausage), shrimp, tomatoes, onions, garlic, and basil.
• After the Civil War, freed slaves who returned to Africa took the recipe for succotash with them.

 

Sufferin’ Succotash

If you’ve ever watched Looney Tunes, you’ve probably heard Sylvester the Cat’s trademark exclamation, “Thufferin’ thuccotash!” (Without his lisp, that translates to “Sufferin’ Succotash!”)

There are two theories to explain the oath. One is that it originated during the Great Depression when succotash was a staple meal in most homes. Eating it every day, probably felt like the family was “suffering” succotash.

However, according to the Austin American-Statesman, the meaning goes back to the mid-1800s. At that time, English-speaking countries viewed the use of profanity as sacrilegious and judged the user not to be a true Christian. So people needed euphemisms to replace common swear words. In the case of “Suffering Savior,” someone decided it should be changed to “Suffering Succotash.”

Did You Know…

• Only a handful of actors have gotten to voice Sylvester the Cat’s “sufferin’ succotash.” The most recent is voice actor, Eric Bauza.

 

Final Bites

Succotash is a symbol of the U.S.’s culinary heritage and its evolution. Historically, it’s a blend of Indigenous ingredients and European cooking techniques. The regional variations are countless, as are the modern interpretations. This dish is far from static.

But even better than the freedom to put your unique spin on it is the fact that succotash is extremely healthy for you. Succotash’s primary two ingredients, corn and lima beans, provide protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. They also promote good digestive health and support cardiovascular health and muscle function. By adding other colorful vegetables, you can boost the number of antioxidants. Opting for olive oil instead of butter and including lean proteins, you can make succotash a heart-healthy, nutrient-rich meal.

Regardless of how you make it, remember succotash is a tapestry of food history and culture, woven together with your culinary creativity.