What to do with fresh fava beans?

[MommyAllison]

I've got a dozen big pods of fava beans, and I've never cooked or eaten them before. Any great recipes out there?

[pb&j]

Liver and a nice chianti?

:hysterical:



(Sorry, I assume you know the line from Silence of the Lambs.)

Seriously, I usually just boil gently with a little salt and butter until they're just tender.

[sntm]

Liver and a nice chianti?

:hysterical:



(Sorry, I assume you know the line from Silence of the Lambs.)

Seriously, I usually just boil gently with a little salt and butter until they're just tender.

Like x 1000

[kara97210]

We love favas! A lot of work with all the shelling, but so worth it. I tend to either mash them up and use as a spread for bruschetta or make pasta dishes with them. Or sometimes just add them to salad.

This recipe is similar to what I do for a spread (http://gourmetfood.about.com/od/appetizersandsoups1/r/favabruschetta.htm). I don't use thyme (usually mine is just garlic, olive oil, lemon, salt/pepper). I've also put this spread in endive, which is nice and light.

For pasta, I either make a primavera with a ton of vegetables including favas, or do something similar to this (http://nookandpantry.blogspot.com/2008/08/pasta-with-fava-beans-prosciutto-and.html). I think the favas and prosciutto go really well together, especially with fresh pasta.

[Twoboos]

Liver and a nice chianti?

:hysterical:



This was my first thought!! It's the only way I know for fava beans. ;)

[almostmom]

I love favas! I go really simple. I shell them, then put them in boiling water for 2 minutes. Once they are cool I pop them out of their covers and eat them! I always want to make a spread of some sort, but they just don't last long enough. I'll keep them in the fridge and pop some in my mouth every time I'm in there. Yum!

[Indianamom2]

This was my first thought!! It's the only way I know for fava beans. ;)

Yep, I almost posted the same thing. I can't think of anything else when I hear "fava beans" or "chianti".

[pastrygirl]

I really like this one. Even my husband, who doesn't like radishes, liked it. The dressing seems to tame the radishes.

http://www.gastronomersguide.com/2009/08/fava-bean-salad-with-radishes-and.html

[LizLemon]

OT, but are favas like lima beans? Somehow I developed a thought that they taste similar. Since I am not a lima fan, I'm not sure if favas would be worth all the prep work.

[dogmom]

I love cassoulet made with fava beans vs. white beans. It comes up very creamy with a chestnut flavor. You don't need the whole duck confit/sausage/mutton ingredients. Just make it with some sausage and some chicken or duck or the like.

Oh, here I found a version of the original recipe I make online:
https://sites.google.com/site/lyranace/pics/cassoulet. You can skip the pork skin part.