I thought lima bean pods were toxic.

Me too Happy ; ) But WWW seems to be a credible source. And of course i am checking in with all of you experts first!

Maybe limas are a little like hyacinth beans where the toxicity level builds with the age of the pod? So what little there is in a young pod is destroyed by cooking?

Just guessing.

I believe that if I want snow peas, I'll grow snow peas. If toxicity in lima pods builds or is destroyed by cooking, I want to see it in more than one source. That said, I once tossed a handful of mature limas in the microwave for a minute or two and ate them like edamame, and they were delicious, best limas I ever had, so maybe there is something to it? But I didn't eat the whole pods.

Interesting question, Mauirose!

I thought I replied yesterday, but the post was lost somehow. Any way I grow Jackson Wonder from time to time. Very productive colored lima, a shade larger than Henderson's Baby lima. Back in the 40's we use to joke that you could make a crop planted in the middle of a highway. They are that tough and dependable as producers. Very strong flavor which is not to everyones taste. Pods are as tough and fibrous as any other lima. In the green shell stage, they turn slate grey when cooked which is not visually appealing to some folks. Still grown commercially and here at least you can find the green shellies in the frozen food section.

Farmerdilla, did you ever hear of anyone eating the whole young pod like a snow pea?

we use to joke that you could make a crop planted in the middle of a highway

LOL, gotta love a crop like that ; )

i see the same information being given in the SSE yearbook. i wonder why the comparison is to a snow pea v. a green bean?

i like that microwave idea, might try it this afternoon!

No, and I am certainly not interested. This is small podded lima, young enough to be tender, they would be so small you would need a magnifying glass. If I were to try a lima substitute for a snow pea, I would go for something with large pods like a calico/Christmas lima. Toxicity is relative, and most folks probably would never have a reaction so That would not worry me. Most garden vegetables, most weeds and grasses are edible. Palatability is another story.
WWW has been noted for making outrageous claims. sells books tho.