15 Fava Bean Recipes You Need to Try This Spring
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Fava Bean Basics
They do take a bit of work -- fava beans have to be shelled, and unless they’re extremely small, the individual beans will have an outer skin that needs to be removed as well -- but they're deliciously worth it.
In Season: Peak season for fava beans is late March through early May.
What to Look For: Seek out sturdy green pods with a velvety fuzz. Avoid any with slimy brown spots or overly large beans.
How to Store: Refrigerate for up to one week.
How to Prep: For most recipes, you’ll blanch and peel the beans: Remove beans from pods, and cook in a pot of salted boiling water for 2 minutes. Drain, and run under cold water. Remove the skins.
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Fava Beans with Snap Peas and Mint
Celebrate spring with this twist on minted peas -- swap them out for snap peas and fava beans and keep the butter and fresh mint.
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Roast Chicken with Fava Beans
Roast chicken pan juices mingle with thyme, roasted garlic, and buttery favas to form a beautiful foundation for this comforting skillet dinner.
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Asparagus and Fava Beans with Toasted Almonds
Two of spring's stars come together in this dish. This recipe makes a modest amount of favas go a long way, for maximum effect: sprinkled over blanched asparagus, topped with a lemony dressing, and finished with toasted almonds. The end result is one standout side.
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Fava Bean Soup
This simple, velvety soup is accented with the umami tang of Parmesan cheese.
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Grilled Fava Beans
Never grilled beans before? Your guests will be delighted by this deliciously charred, shell-it-yourself appetizer.
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Spring Vegetable Ragout
Dijon mustard and Parmesan cheese add a bright zing to this brilliant green vegetarian ragout of asparagus, sugar snap peas, radishes, and herbs. Serve over pasta, polenta, or tortellini to make it a main dish.
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Fava Bean, Mint, and Pecorino Romano Bruschetta
A hint of spice from crushed red pepper adds a lively edge to mild, creamy fava beans in this mix.
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Fava Beans Over Chicken
Gussy up plain poached chicken with favas simmered in a mixture of chicken stock, cream, and sauteed leeks.
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Spring Salad with Fava Beans
Favas add intrigue to a simple green salad made with frisee, baby spinach, carrots, goat cheese, and a white-wine vinaigrette.
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Fava Bean and Goat Cheese Dip with Radishes
Fava beans and radishes, two colorful harbingers of spring, combine in this brightly flavored appetizer.
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Fava Bean Salad with Roasted-Garlic Vinaigrette
Fava beans unite with fresh corn kernels, cucumber, red onion, and feta in a garlicky walnut dressing for a party-worthy side dish.
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Ravioli Stuffed with Fava Beans, Ricotta, and Mint with Brown-Butter Sauce
Pockets of fresh pasta hold a creamy bounty of fresh ricotta, nutty fava beans, and a hint of mint.
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Asparagus, Artichoke, and Fava Bean Salad
The trifecta of asparagus (green and white!), artichokes, and favas is the star of this spring salad. A bright, citrusy buttermilk dressing ties the flavors together beautifully.
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Pasta with Mint Pesto and Fava
Turkey and pancetta meatballs add a hearty note to this pasta dish bursting with the fresh flavors of spring.
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Fava Bean, Parmesan, and Almond Salad
Team earthy favas with toasted almonds, nutty Parmesan, fresh mint, and a simple lemon-and-oil dressing for a sensational crostini topping.