National Dish of Equatorial Guinea – Succotash

Succotash is a dish of lima beans and other vegetables sautéed together with butter and fresh herbs. The cuisine of Equatorial Guinea is one that is influenced by both the Spanish and the native tribespeople.

Servings

6 Person

Prep Time

20 Min

Cook Time

53 Min

Total Time

73 Min

2 cups
Fresh lima beans
½
A small yellow onion
1
Medium sweet onion (chopped)
1
Clove garlic
4
Sprigs fresh thyme
3
Slices bacon
2 cups
Halved cherry tomatoes
3 cups
Fresh corn kernels
1 tbsp.
Red wine vinegar
1 ½ tbsps.
Fresh dill weed (chopped)
1 ½ tbsps.
Chives (chopped)
2 tbsps.
Unsalted butter
Water for boiling
Salt and Pepper

Succotash is a dish of lima beans and other vegetables sautéed together with butter and fresh herbs. The cuisine of Equatorial Guinea is one that is influenced by both the Spanish and the native tribespeople. This dish is made without meat in Guinea but crumbled bacon can be added for extra flavor.

Directions for Preparing Succotash

  1. Fill a saucepan with water, heat over medium-high heat, and bring to a boil.
  2. Add the lima beans, a clove of garlic, half of the yellow onion, and the sprigs of fresh thyme.
  3. Simmer on low heat, stirring occasionally for twenty (0:20) minutes or until the beans are tender.
  4. Drain the beans but reserve ¾ cup of the cooking liquid.
  5. Remove and discard the thyme, yellow onion, and garlic.
  6. Heat a little oil in a skillet and fry the slices of bacon.
  7. Cook the bacon for about seven (0:07) minutes or until crisp.
  8. Remove the bacon from the skillet and set it aside on paper towels.
  9. Reserve two tablespoons of the bacon fat and discard the rest.
  10. Sauté the chopped sweet onions in the bacon fat for about five (0:05) minutes.
  11. Add the corn kernels and cook for six (0:06) minutes over medium-high heat until the kernels become tender.
  12. Stir in the cherry tomatoes.
  13. Add the cooked lima beans and reserved cooking liquid.
  14. Cook for five (0:05) minutes, stirring occasionally.
  15. Add the butter, chives, dill, and red wine vinegar.
  16. Season with salt and pepper.
  17. Chop the cooked bacon and sprinkle over the succotash.

Serve warm.

Succotash as prepared in Equatorial Guinea reflects the country’s blended culinary identity, shaped by Indigenous food traditions and centuries of Spanish influence. While succotash is widely known in other parts of the world as a bean-and-corn dish, Equatorial Guinean versions emphasize vegetables and simple preparation, often omitting meat entirely in line with traditional plant-based meals.

Equatorial Guinea’s cuisine relies heavily on legumes, corn, fresh herbs, and seasonal vegetables, ingredients that are well suited to the local climate and agricultural practices. Spanish influence is visible in the use of sautéing techniques, olive or cooking oils, and flavor balancing with vinegar, while Indigenous cooking traditions prioritize hearty vegetable stews and side dishes. In Guinea, succotash is typically served as a nourishing standalone dish or as a complement to other meals, with optional additions like bacon introduced later through European influence. Today, it represents a simple, adaptable dish that highlights the country’s emphasis on fresh produce and layered cultural heritage.

Per Serving (Approximate values)

% Daily Value
Calories serving
233 (kcal)
Total Fat
9.49g
Saturated Fat
4.1g
Unsaturated Fat
g
Trans Fat
g
Cholesterol
21g
Sodium
399g
Total Carbohydrate
30g
Dietary Fiber
6.4g
Sugars
5.2mg
Protein
10.6g
Values are based on standard ingredients and may vary

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