Cooking with the Three Sisters: Succotash
Three Sisters planting has been occurring for at least 500 years. The three sisters are ᏎᎷ se-lu (corn), ᏚᏯ tu-ya (beans) and ᎧᏴᏎᏆ ka-yv-se-qua (squash). This planting technique represents a balanced and symbiotic practice. Cornstalks provide a structure for the beans to climb. The beans return nitrogen to the soil to feed the corn and squash. The broad squash leaves shade the ground, slowing evaporation and preventing weeds. We planted the sisters together in mounds typically and around the full moon after the last frost was over. Corn is planted first with beans and squash following in 3-4 weeks, to allow the corn to start growing and provide the structure for the beans.
Selu is the name of the First Woman and Kana’ti was the first man, or Lucky Hunter. In the “Origin of Game and Corn Cherokee” story, we learn how Selu and Kana’ti’s children disobeyed their parents and this why we must work hard to carefully tend corn and hunt (read more in James Mooney’s History, Myths, and Sacred Formulas of the Cherokees).
Three Sisters Succotash Recipe
Corn – se-lu ᏎᎷ
Beans – tu-ya ᏚᏯ
Squash – ka-yv-se-qua ᎧᏴᏎᏆ
Makes 6-8 servings
INGREDIENTS
· 2 tablespoons butter
· 12 ounces summer squash (whichever kind you have – ½ zucchini and ½ yellow or crookneck are great), cut into quarters and sliced into about 1-inch pieces, skin on
· 1 red bell pepper, chopped
· 1 cup fresh or frozen corn kernels
· 1 cup frozen baby lima beans, thawed
· 1 ½ tsp kosher salt
· 1 tsp chopped fresh thyme
· 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
· 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes (half red, half orange or yellow for color)
· 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
· 1 tablespoon thinly sliced fresh chives
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Melt butter in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add the squash and red bell pepper and stir occasionally for about 3 minutes until beginning to soften.
2. Add the corn, lima beans, salt, thyme, and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 3 minutes.
3. Take off the heat. Stir in the cherry tomatoes, add the lemon juice, stir, and sprinkle with the fresh chives. Serve immediately.
Enjoy!
ᎠᎵᏍᏓᏴᏗᎢ alisdayvdii - It’s time to eat!
— Sabrina McKinney
