I consider myself to be a fairly knowledgeable cook, but it turns out I’ve been living a lie — when it comes to fava beans, at least.
I was always told that you needed to remove fava beans from their pod, blanch them and remove the membrane that surrounds the bean itself.
But apparently that’s all wrong. In fact, in Britain, Italy and Spain, the skins are left on, saving cooks oodles of time.
Ali Slagle recently wrote for Food52 that skin-on fava beans “are like Marcona almonds: silky, oily, earthy, but firm. They then give way to melty-creaminess on the inside, like the middle of a ball of burrata.”
With such a ringing endorsement, why would anyone bother with the blanch-and-peel method again?
If you’ve been avoiding fava bean recipes, you can start enjoying them the easy way. Try using skin-on favas in these tasty dishes.
Garlic-roasted fava beans
Roasted in their pods with butter and crushed garlic is the easiest way to enjoy fava beans, no peeling required.
Fava bean, mint and ricotta crostini
Fresh fava beans, mint and creamy ricotta make these crostini the perfect summer appetizer.
Fava bean and smoked salmon flatbread
Mashed fava beans and smoked salmon make a flavorful and vibrant snack or appetizer. Snackpetizer?
Baked eggs with asparagus and fava
Whether for breakfast or a simple dinner, baked eggs with asparagus, fava and garlic are as easy as can be.
Burrata with fava beans, tomato and mint
This easy appetizer of burrata, tomato, fava beans and mint will make you look like a culinary genius.
Chorizo and fava bean carbonara
Switch up your usual pasta routine by adding fava beans and Spanish chorizo to your carbonara.
Grilled fava beans with sea salt
Not only do you not have to peel these grilled fava beans, but if the pods are tender enough, you can eat those too.
Fava bean and fennel risotto
Velvety risotto is the perfect base for fresh fava beans, fennel and sautéed radicchio.
Fava bean and farro salad
Fresh fava beans, sweet corn and farro are dressed with walnuts, pecorino and a citrusy dressing here.
Fava beans with prosciutto and cream
Creamy fava beans dotted with prosciutto are definitely the best way to get your daily vegetables.
Broad bean and asparagus salad
When you have the best ingredients, you can keep things simple, like with this fava bean and asparagus salad.
Fava bean and herb couscous
Couscous cooks up in minutes, and since you don’t have to peel your favas, you’ll be eating in no time.
Fava bean soup
This soup gets blended anyway, so why bother peeling your favas? Besides, you can always strain it.
Fava bean and egg sandwiches
Open-faced fava bean and poached egg sandwiches are easier than ever when you don’t have any peeling to do.
Fava beans with chorizo
Spicy Spanish chorizo is the perfect complement to fresh green fava beans (and a super-easy side dish).
Fava bean recipes worth bookmarking
Pin these fava bean recipes so you can make them all!
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