Fava Beans
How to Prepare Fava Beans
Springtime means finding fresh fava beans in your Market Bags. Tender and flavorful, fava beans are the perfect reminder that winter is over and a warm weather veggie bounty is right around the corner. But, since each bean comes wrapped in a thick outer skin, they require a bit of prep. Here’s how to tackle your bounty.
To release the beans from their thick outer skins, break open each pod by tearing off the end and pulling the string-like seam down. Slide your finger along the seam to open the pod. If that doesn’t work, you can also try twisting the pod and using your thumb to open it.
Once all the beans are out of their pods, bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Drop the beans into the water and cook for one minute to blanch them. After one minute is up, drain the beans and shock them in a bowl of ice water until cool. This stops the cooking process, keeping them perfectly tender and bright green. Remove the thick skin that surrounds each bean by squeezing it and using your thumbnail to break open the skin and push the bean out.
Use the shelled fava beans in your favorite recipes!
Springtime means finding fresh fava beans in your Market Bags. Tender and flavorful, fava beans are the perfect reminder that winter is over and a warm weather veggie bounty is right around the corner. But, since each bean comes wrapped in a thick outer skin, they require a bit of prep. Here’s how to tackle your bounty.
To release the beans from their thick outer skins, break open each pod by tearing off the end and pulling the string-like seam down. Slide your finger along the seam to open the pod. If that doesn’t work, you can also try twisting the pod and using your thumb to open it.
Once all the beans are out of their pods, bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Drop the beans into the water and cook for one minute to blanch them. After one minute is up, drain the beans and shock them in a bowl of ice water until cool. This stops the cooking process, keeping them perfectly tender and bright green. Remove the thick skin that surrounds each bean by squeezing it and using your thumbnail to break open the skin and push the bean out.
Use the shelled fava beans in your favorite recipes!