Fava Bean recipes

A light, elegant Italian spring salad with tender fava beans, peppery arugula, paper-thin shavings of aged Pecorino Romano, and a sharp lemon vinaigrette. This is the kind of salad served at the finest Roman trattorias in May when both favas and the young arugula are at their peak. Simple ingredients, impeccable execution.

A luxurious Italian risotto that celebrates spring by stirring in double-peeled fava beans and fresh mint at the finish, preserving their bright color and sweet flavor against the creamy, Parmesan-enriched rice. The key to perfect risotto is patience — adding warm stock gradually and stirring continuously to draw out the starch.