Fava Beans, Peas, and Artichokes Soup

Fava beans, peas, and artichokes soup is a spring dish that smells of freshness and authenticity. Here’s how to prepare it in Italian style.

Ingredients

• 300 g of shelled fresh fava beans
• 300 g of fresh peas
• 4 artichokes
• 1 white onion
• 1 stalk of celery
• 1 carrot
• Vegetable broth as needed
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh mint for garnish
• One lemon (to keep the artichokes immersed in water with lemon juice to prevent oxidation)
• Grated Pecorino Romano cheese (optional)

Preparation

1. Begin by cleaning the artichokes, removing the outer leaves that are the hardest, cut off the tips and the stem, then cut them into wedges and immerse them in water with lemon juice.
2. Peel and finely slice the onion, chop the celery and carrot.
3. In a large pot, heat a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and gently sauté the onion, celery, and carrot.
4. Add the drained artichokes and let them flavor for a few minutes.
5. Now you can add the fava beans and peas, stir and let all the ingredients stew for about 5 minutes.
6. Cover with vegetable broth until the ingredients are submerged and bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it cook covered until the vegetables are tender, about 15-20 minutes.
7. Taste and adjust for salt and pepper. At this point, you can choose to blend part of the soup to make it creamy or leave it as is, more “rustic”.
8. Serve the hot soup, garnishing with fresh mint leaves and, if you like, a sprinkling of grated Pecorino Romano cheese.

Trivia

This soup is particularly appreciated during the spring season, not only for its fresh and delicate taste but also because fava beans and peas are legumes that provide a good content of vegetable proteins, while artichokes are known for their detoxifying properties and richness in fiber.

If you want, you can add a final touch by drizzling some raw extra virgin olive oil before serving, which will enhance the flavor of the vegetables even more.