Why is Boston called Beantown? Because of Boston Baked Beans, of course! Why did Bostonians love baked beans? Well, Boston had tons of beans, because they´re cheap and easy to grow, store and cook. Boston had tons of molasses because of trade. Sugar and Molasses were brough in by the shipload from the West Indies, to be sold in Boston in exchange for rum and other local goods.

Put together beans and molasses, and voila!

Ingredients
2 cups Navy Beans
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup molasses
1 cup bean liquid
1 teaspoon salt

Clean and rinse the beans. Bring the beans to a boil in 6 cups of water, then simmer for 2 hours. Drain the liquid into another container. Now get a 4 quart casserole dish. Mix together the benas, brown sugar, molasses, liquid and salt and then spread evenly into the casserole dish.

Bake at 350F for 1 hour.

Note that this recipe can handle a TON of customization depending on your interests. Some people add in bacon, flavorings, and other items, based on what is lying around. That is what makes Boston Baked Beans so versitile!

Main Traditional Massachusetts Recipe Index