Comments on: Fava Beans

By: Karen

Karen — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 23:00:24 +0000

My family name is one of the many southern Italian names beginning with Fava. The legend is that all Sicilians whose name begins with fava descended from one common ancestor.

By: Barbie

Barbie — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 15:59:21 +0000

Looking to grow these for next year. Do you have a favorite variety to recommend? Thanks

Hi Barbie, I do not have a favorite variety but maybe someone who reads this and does more farming than I can answer your question. - RG

By: Rachel

Rachel — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 20:06:49 +0000

I soaked my Italian fava beans the other night, boiled them and took the skins off, a little time consuming to say the least! Am making a salad with peas, fennel and med. soft boiled eggs. To top it off will add crispy prosciutto and some Italian parsley. Bean/fennel and peas are mixed prior in a mustardy vinaigrette and dill, but I am using the fennel fronds as well. I have done a puree/dip with the canned ones, very nice! I use it as a sandwich spread P.S, I always drain and rinse any kind of canned beans.

Hi Rachel, thank you for sharing your tips with my readers. Happy Holiday - RG

By: Archgal

Archgal — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 04:14:51 +0000

Hi, I am soaking my dried fava beans right now, but I don’t have 8 hours. I am making Ful the recipe calls for 45 min. of simmering after the 8 hour soak. Can I soak for 6 hours and then just cook of 1 hour? Will they get too mushy?

Hi Archgal, I’m not sure. I say give it a try and see how it turns out. What other choice do you have if you already started soaking the beans. You may want to taste the beans after 45 minutes and see if they are done. If not, continue cooking. Sometimes in the kitchen you just have to experiment and see what works. - RG

By: Nik

Nik — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 01:27:48 +0000

If pre-soaking dried favas, should they be given more time to soak because of the inner jacket around each individual bean? is standard 8 hours good enough?

Hi Nik, the standard overnight soak should be fine for dried fava beans, also called broad bean. Remember, the beans will double in size after soaking so be sure to have a big enough pot. - RG