Instructions: Pick over lima beans removing broken or damaged beans. Rinse with cool water. Cover with 2 inches or more water and soak for 48 hours, changing the water at least twice a day and rinsing the beans thoroughly. The last soaking water should have 1 Tablespoon of salt added to the water. Drain and rinse beans and put in large covered pot. Cook over high heat for 15 minutes. Skim and lower heat. Cook over low heat, checking tenderness of beans after 20 minutes, stirring beans well, then each 10 minutes and stirring beans well. When beans are tender but still hold their shape, add fresh or frozen green beans and cook just until green beans are hot. Stir in butter and add desired amount of sugar.

Beans should not taste sweet like baked beans. Add salt to taste. I rarely add the butter and never add the sugar and this still tastes wonderful.

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