Baby Lima Beans Or Broad Beans with Italian Sausage

1/2 pound Italian bulk sausage -- crumbled

1 onion -- sliced

2 cups water

1 pound baby lima beans or broad beans

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin seed

1 fresh hot red pepper -- seeded and chopped

Salt Freshly ground black pepper

Place the sausage and onion in a heavy casserole or sauce pan and saute until light brown. Add the water and bring to the boil. Add the beans, cumin seed, and hot pepper and bring back to the boil. Cover, reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes. Season well with salt and pepper.