Stewed Ham Hocks and Butter Beans

Although Southern butter beans are technically a variety of lima beans (native to the Americas), make no mistake that the appearance and flavor of the two are distinctly different. Speckled butter beans (or “specs”), in particular, with their white skins dotted with red and purple, are the most popular type, turning a beautiful copper color and boasting dense richness when simmered slowly, as in this lusty stew. Unfortunately, real butter beans are becoming more and more difficult to find i