Fava Bean Purée

Fava bean purée is a simple and nutritious dish, typical of Mediterranean cuisine.

Ingredients

• 400 grams of dried fava beans
• 1 onion
• 1 sprig of rosemary
• Salt to taste
• Black pepper to taste
• Extra virgin olive oil to taste

Preparation

1. Soak the dried fava beans in tepid water for at least 8 hours, or even better, overnight, to hydrate them and make cooking easier.

2. After the soaking period, rinse the fava beans under running water.

3. In a large pot, place the fava beans and cover with plenty of cold water. Bring to a boil and let cook for about 1 hour or until they become soft. During cooking, remove the foam that forms on the surface with a skimmer.

4. Meanwhile, finely chop the onion and sauté in a pan with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and the sprig of rosemary until it becomes translucent.

5. Once cooked, drain the fava beans but keep some of the cooking water.

6. Remove the rosemary and add the onion to the fava beans.

7. Use an immersion blender (or a food mill) to puree the fava beans, adding a little of the reserved cooking water to achieve the desired consistency.

8. Season with salt and black pepper to taste and mix everything together with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.

9. Serve the fava bean purée hot, as a side or as a main dish accompanied by toasted bread croutons or homemade bread.

Curiosity

Fava bean purée is often enriched with the addition of other vegetables or aromatic herbs, resulting in regional variations. In some areas of Italy, it is common to add chicory or other leafy green vegetables to create a complete and even more flavorful dish. Moreover, fava bean purée is a recipe that is well-suited to the Lenten period and is often served on such occasions in Italian culinary tradition.