Butter Beans

Butter Beans
1 pound fresh butterbeans (lima beans) 1 onion, chopped 1 carrot, chopped2 or 3 cloves garlic 1 red bell pepper, chopped 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper, plus more to taste, divided frac14; pound smoked ribs, smoked sausage or bacon, or a combina-tion 10 teaspoons oil 2 tablespoons flour 1 tablespoon vegeta Salt and pepper to tasteIn a soup pot place the beans and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil. Drain water and replace with fresh, cold water. Add the onion, carrot, garlic, bell pepper, cayenne and meats. Add enough water to cover. Bring to a boil, reduce to simmer and cook, partially covered, for 2 1/2 to 3 hours. (The longer the better.)Before serving heat the oil, 1 teaspoon cayenne and flour in a skillet, blending well. Add to the pot and stir in the vegetables, salt and pepper to taste.Serves four.Nutrition values per serving: 353 calo-ries, 16 g fat, 39 g carbohydrates, 7 g fiber, 23 g protein, 27 mg cholesterol, 715 mg sodium.