fava beans grow in a large pod that needs to be peeled in order to find the beans that lie within. if you have small children this is an excellent task for them. once you get all the beans out of their pods there are a few more simple steps. the outer shell of the bean is kind of chalky and not good eating. you need to blanch the pods (put them quickly into boiling water then plunge them into ice water). from there you can pop them out of their shells and enjoy them with a bit of extra virgin olive oil and a sprinkle of salt and pepper and a shave of parmesan cheese. you can use them to top a piece of your favorite fish or a piece of grilled chicken. when fava beans are young you can actually eat the outside as well as the inside. for those heat up a cast iron skillet and add a bit of olive oil. when it’s almost smoking throw the fava beans in whole add a bit of lemon juice chili flakes and salt and pepper and in about 3-4 minutes they are ready to eat. if you can find fava beans at your local farmers market or grocery store give them a try!
what are some easy and delicious ways to prepare fava beans?