Everyone is always waiting for the first “mess of butter beans” if you are from the South, that just means a big pot of the yummy green baby lima beans!!! Often called "butter beans" because of their starchy yet buttery texture, lima beans have a delicate flavor that complements a wide variety of dishes. Fresh lima beans are worth the search in the summer and fall when they are in season. Dried and canned lima beans are available throughout the year.