Recipes

Grilled Whole Favas

  • Serves

    serves 6-8

MEREDITH HEUER

Choose tender, bright green pods with beans that feel fresh and pliable through the pod skin.

Ingredients

  • 2 lb. rinsed and dried whole fava pods
  • 2-3 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
  • Salt

Instructions

Step 1

Prepare a charcoal grill. Meanwhile, toss fava pods with oil in a large bowl. Season to taste with salt and toss again.

Step 2

Grill favas in a single layer over hot coals. They should sizzle and may smoke a bit, but don't let them flare up. Grill until bold black blisters appear on the grill side, 3–4 minutes, then turn them over and grill 2–4 minutes more.

Step 3

Pile favas onto a platter and let cool for a few minutes.

Step 4

To eat, pry open pods, pop out beans, pinch off tip of wrinkled skin with your fingernail, and squeeze out tender, fragrant fava. Lick your oily, salty fingertips; it's part of the dish. Serve with radishes, sheep's milk cheese, and slices of salami or prosciutto, if you like.