Butter Beans and Okra

Butter beans are often served over white rice in the lowcountry, but when red rice is on the menu, they stand on their own with a garnish of fresh okra. Charlestonians are passionate about the dozens of varieties of butter beans that are available from the neighboring barrier island farms. Some varieties, such as Sieva (pronounced SIVvy) beans, were growing here when European settlers first arrived; they are the smallest “baby” butter bean.

The beans are cooked in the traditional ma