Succotash

Chow time!

(From top: Chicken Lo Mein, Swordfish Steaks in Dill and Butter Sauce, Rotissierie Chicken, Seafood Paella, German Spiesbraten, Potato Pancakes with Applesauce on side, Korean BBQ Ribs and Succotash with Pearl Onions.

Not Shown: Shrimp Rolls, Cold Noodle Salad, Steamed Jasmine Rice, Crab Cakes & Chicken Satay)

SUCCOTASH - is a Native American staple. The Indians gave this traditional side dish its name which is derived from the word "msickquatash", Nanganset for "boiled kernels of corn". It consists primarily of lima beans and corn. Some cook it with meat (ham hocks or bits of bacon) while others add milk to make this dish creamier. This is typically served during Thanksgiving dinner in many Pennsylvania Dutch homes.

This is my version of this easy-to-make dish (no meat/no milk):
Heat butter and olive oil, saute half an onion (minced) for about 2 minutes or until wilted. Drop in a package of frozen Lima Beans (I used the bigger variety: Butter Beans) and a package of frozen Corn Kernels or Niblets (if you can't get fresh cobs). After about 5 minutes, add a chopped medium-sized Chayote, chopped green and yellow Squash (about 2 of each), chopped large green Bell Pepper, and then some coarsely chopped fresh Okra (5-10 small okras). Mix everything together and cook in high heat, about 5 minutes. Season with Salt and Pepper. Drop in some fresh Pearl Onions about 2 minutes before turning off the heat.

Most guests happily mugged for the camera...

...a few - I had to catch by surprise.

As the music got louder and the drinks flowed, one friend decided to give a short, witty speech. As soon as he finished, another one (who looked like he already had one too many) ambled over and stood on his place.
As everyone cheered and waited for him to speak, he suddenly began waving his plate sheepishly :

"Oh, no... Man, sorry.  I  just stood up to get some more food."

Somehow, we all thought that was even funnier than hearing him give an actual speech.

The chocolate-buttercream Libran cake I asked my friend to make for P and myself was super scrumptious.
And the indestructible edible design doubled up as a "tribal" Halloween mask!