This bean variety can be found in health-food and Middle Eastern stores in a dehydrated or canned form. Fresh Fava Beans can sometimes be found in supermarkets during the summer season.
Legume that is grown throughout Italy. Although Fava beans more resemble a lima bean, they are a member of the pea family. Fava beans are sometimes called a broad bean. Available dried, canned and infrequently fresh. Fresh fava beans have a tough outer skin which should be removed before cooking.
Also referred to as broad or horse beans. Fava beans are tan, flat beans, which resemble lima beans. However the favas have a very strong flavor (quite bitter at times). Their skins are very tough and must be removed by blanching before you cook them. Fava beans are popular in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean recipes. They are usually sold dried and can, sometimes, be purchased in cans in stores, which specialize in a Middle Eastern clientele. They are sold fresh in specialty produce stores, but it takes a lot of work to get to the fresh beans.
Also known as broad beans. Sold shelled and frozen, but available fresh in the pod during summer months. When shopping for fresh fava beans, look for tightly closed, bulging deep green pods. To shell, press on the seam near the stem to split the pod open. Pop out the beans and remove the membrane surrounding each bean.
Fresh or dried broad beans.
cultivated for over 7000 years, these broad beans originated in the Middle East and are often referred to as poor peoples food. Called bacilli (old women) in Tuscany, they are typically served as an antipasto, uncooked accompanied by fresh sheep's milk cheese.
A Mediterranean bean similar to lima beans. It comes in a large pod which, unless very young, is inedible. Fava beans can be purchased dried, cooked in cans and, infrequently, fresh. If you find fresh fava beans, choose those with pods that are not bulging with beans, which indicates age. Fava beans have a very tough skin, which should be removed by blanching before cooking. They are very popular in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dishes. They can be cooked in a variety of ways and are often used in soups. Also called faba bean, broad bean and horse bean.