Magic Beans: Celebrating Favas

I spent a glorious weekend mostly outdoors. Biking, pottery in the outdoor studio, prepping garden beds and planting summer squash and tomatoes. After living in the NW for so many years, I still wake up with a tinge of surprised when it isn't gray or raining. I feel celebratory when I see the sunshine. Fortunately, that's most days around here.

I harvested the first of my fava beans. Fava beans are also known as "English Broad Beans" and were the only beans Europeans knew before discovering American legumes. The magic beans featured in "Jack and the Beanstalk were probably favas. They are so quick growing and low maintenance that if I threw some out the window like Jack's mom, I might have some plants in a few days. Plus, they do branch out in a ladder-esque way that would make them the right shape for climbing. The reason most of us don't eat or see fava beans regularly is because they are not very cost effective to produce. The big spongy pods only have about two or three beans in them each:

Labor intensive, yes. But so worth it. Fava beans taste like gold...buttery, with a rich, almost meaty taste. They are super high in protein and have been a staple for people around the world for ages.

The prepackaged kind at Trader Joe's are not very yummy...I think they may have to be fresh to be really appreciated. If you don't have any growing space, I've also seen them for sale in the springtime at farmer's markets. I sauteed mine with a some chopped garlic and a splash of olive oil--I'm glad that I only had to share with A:

I staggered my planting so I' ll hopefully have many more to harvest (the blossoms smell SO good). I look forward to sharing some different recipes--and maybe even some beans, or at least some seeds so you can experience your own magic beans.