Greek Style Fava Beans with Dill

Fresh Fava beans, also called “broad beans” are in season now and can be found in their pods, at your local farmer’s market. I planted several rows of  favas this year. They are just at the beginning stage of producing and too young to pick – maybe another week or so.  In the meantime, Melissa’s had them available sent me fresh pods this week to use in my recipes. I remember my mother making a delicious simple stew with them with a few pantry items. Today, I thought I would start out with a very simple recipe so that you can shop for some at the market and try them out for yourself. Plan ahead for shelling and blanching the beans before cooking. You can use frozen fava beans, you may have to shell them if they are large in size. Just briefly steam them before adding the dressing. Here are a few tips on these beans: Favas are a tough bean and need to be blanched to remove the outer skin. When shopping for fresh favas look for young green pods that aren’t bulging which indicates age. In cookbooks they may be listed under broad beans, or horse bean. They can be substituted for recipes calling for large lima beans in soups, casseroles, and stews.

Shell and saute the beans if fresh from the pods.

Toss gently with the and serve warm.

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Greek-Style Fava Beans with Dill

Try this simple method of cooking fava beans and you'll be pleasantly surprised at how delicious they can actually taste with a touch of fresh dill.

Course Side dish or Main

Cuisine California Greek

Keyword dill, evoo, fava beans

Servings 6

Author Mary Papoulias-Platis

Ingredients

• 2 pounds fresh fava beans
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 1 garlic clove. crushed
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• pinch of pepper

Instructions

Preparation of the Favas

1. Bring a medium pot of water to a boil over high heat.
2. Shell the fava beans, discarding the pods.
3. As the water boils drop in the beans for 2 minutes until outer skin loosens.
4. Drain and set aside until cool to touch.
5. Pop the fava beans out of their skin and place them in a bowl.

Instruction

1. In a saucepan heat the oil and saute the onion and garlic until soft.
2. Add the fava beans and cook 2-3 minutes.
3. Add enough water to just cover beans.
4. Stir in dill, salt and pepper.
5. Cook, covered, 10 minutes or until beans are tender.
6. Remove the lid and continue cooking until all the water has been absorbed.

Recipe Notes

Recipe from Chef Mary Papoulias-Platis at Ethos Culinary.  
Website: ethosculinary.com  
Contact: ethosculinary@gmail.com   
California Greek Girl Blog: www.californiagreekgirl.com

You  may enjoy my other fava creations:

Lemon Pasta with Fava Beans and Greens

How-To Cook and Roast Fava Beans

Fava Beans and Eggs for Breakfast

Enjoy the season,

Mary 

© 2013 – 2024, Mary Papoulias-Platis. All rights reserved.

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Tagged as: fava beans, How to cook with Fresh Fava Beans, Meatless Mondays, Simply Greek, vegetables, vegetarian