Jack and the bean stalk

“A census taker once tried to test me. I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice Chianti.” Hannibal Lecter’s quote in the Silence of the Lambs movie.

According to a google search, fava beans are one of the oldests cultivated plants. Dating back to the ancient Greeks and Romans. Also called broad beans, pigeon beans, horse beans and Windsor beans. I always try to plant something unusual every year. Did have a problem with black aphids attacking the favas, but I used a safer organic insecticide and it worked. Did have to fight slugs when the plants were sprouting.

Growing: Fava beans can with stand temperatures down to 15 degrees, I planted in early April. The seeds are almost as big as a quarter. You would think favas could be the bean Jack planted to grow the Bean Stalk. The plants grow between 4 - 5 feet tall. They do need to be staked, as the pods get to heavy and pull the stalk down. The pods grow erect up the stalk and when ready are between 7 to 8 inches long. When the beans point down they are ready to pick.

Harvesting: Fava beans are a little bit labor intensive. Pull the pods off like a green bean or a pea. Open the pod up by pulling on the blossom end. 

Inside you will find beans that resemble lima beans. The inside of the pod is white and fluffy. Remove the beans from the pod. Bring a sauce pan half full of water to boil. Add the beans, cook about two minutes. 

Drain and rinse immediately with cold water to stop the cooking. Now take off their tiny raincoats. Favas have a rubber looking shell that is tough and has to be pinched off. Pinch each bean on the opposite side were it was attached to the pod.

Cooking: I sautéed favas in onions/garlic in a little butter, then add the beans and stir only about 5 minutes. Serve immediately. Favas are also good in stews, add 10 minutes before serving.

I fixed favas with dinner the other night. I could see my husband eating the beans real slow, like a little kid eating a nasty vegetable. Asked him how favas compare to Brussels sprouts (his least loved vegetable), he said he liked them the same as Brussels sprouts, not a fan.