Broad beans (fava beans in American) ;)

I had to google to see what they were. I've only ever heard them called fava beans. Never cooked any, and don't usually see them on restaurant menus. I think they may have a bad rap in the USA due to Hannibel Lector.

MM

Hi
I love broad beans . But I don't understand the question. The only way you can enjoy broad beans it to grow them yourself , so you can pick them when thay are about the size of peas . You don't need any recipes . Drop them in boiling salted water for a few minutes, drain , add butter and your done.

I love Romas, don't particularly care for Fava. It the only vegetable I overcook, then eat them with butter and a little soy sauce. The Italian method Mac mentions is alright for almost any other kind of veggy.

Two recipes I saved for next year :

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/fava-bean-salad/

http://moroccanfood.about.com/od/saladsandsidedishes/r/Moroccan_fava_bean_salad_with_olive_oil.htm

These are both variations on a Mediterranean style salad I've had under all sorts of names.

mccardey said:

Oh... I only know the way my Italians taught me,

Thanks for your idea. I'm guessing you shell the tiny ones? You don't eat them like mange tout peas?

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Hi
In England the beans are sown in late summer/autumn and are ready to pick late spring . The first ones , when the beans are very small, are used for broad bean salad. You eat them raw or dropped in boiling water for just a few seconds and sprinkle with oil and lemon juice . A bit of an extravagance, you need to pick a lot of beans, but they are bright green and have a welcoming fresh taste. When they become too big for the salad , you can crop them for a few more weeks and eat them lightly boiled . Most growers will pick the lot and freeze them.
I have eaten them , pods and all ,but I don't like them that way . Once the beans start to form a thick skin,they are considered finished.
I don't know anybody that eats them like the Italians. In southern Italy people will shell the beans and bash them with a wooden pole ,until they look like mash potato.