Blanched Fava Beans
Updated August 17, 2026
Karsten Moran for The New York Times
- Ready In
- 5 min
- Rating
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Ingredients
Fava beans in the pod
Nutritional analysis per serving (1 servings)
1 gram carbs; 5 calories; 2 milligrams sodium; 1 gram sugar
Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
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Preparation
- Step 1
Shuck the beans from their pods, discarding the pods.
- Step 2
Drop the shucked favas in boiling water for 1 minute, then plunge into ice water. When cool, drain in a colander, then pierce outer skin from each bean with thumbnail and squeeze to slip off skins. Discard skins and set peeled favas aside. (May be prepared up to 24 hours ahead of time.)
Private Notes
Comments
Fava beans can trigger 'favism,' a.k.a. G6PD syndrome, leading to hemalytic breakdown. When my son was 5, he had an attack, very serious. It's a rare condition - took doctors a day to figure out what it was. They transfused him, and he recovered. We had his brother genetically tested for the syndrome, and he too has it - he didn't have much of the meal (Fava Bean Soup) that night. Most at risk are ppl from the Mediterranean, Middle-east, Semitic cultures, Persians, etc. BE CAREFUL!
Fava beans are easy to grow. They need protection from various small animals & some birds. Delicious but Randy's note is important. I make a mash and freeze some of it. It makes a taste change from avocado.
Fava beans can trigger 'favism,' a.k.a. G6PD syndrome, leading to hemalytic breakdown. When my son was 5, he had an attack, very serious. It's a rare condition - took doctors a day to figure out what it was. They transfused him, and he recovered. We had his brother genetically tested for the syndrome, and he too has it - he didn't have much of the meal (Fava Bean Soup) that night. Most at risk are ppl from the Mediterranean, Middle-east, Semitic cultures, Persians, etc. BE CAREFUL!
Love fresg fava beans, totally worth the work (process while watching a movie)... but would've been great to see this in Spring when they're harvested. Thx tho!