FAVA BEANS

And why Jack was REALLY climbing up that beanstalk....

Fava beans, also known as broad beans to those who are English (or who watched The Gentleman and now wish you were English), are a jewel in the crown of spring legumes. They are those bumpy green leathery pods resembling butter or lima beans, though they aren't directly related. Inside the cushy pods are tender, shamrock-green beans with a tough(ish) opaque skin which is usually removed before consuming (read: inhaling). Fava beans have a delicate, buttery, nutty taste and, depending on their maturity, a touch of bitterness too. When eaten raw, they have the classic verdant flavor of a chlorophyll-rich legume; however, they become creamier and more savory when cooked. They have a bad rap for their shucking needs, but this newsletter will change all of that for you and your loved ones.