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Fava Bean Recipes That Will Make You Forget All About Hannibal Lecter

Forget about Hannibal Lecter. Fava beans are in.
By 

Staff Writer, Food & Travel

Ever since 1991, fava beans have had it kind of rough.

That was the year "The Silence Of The Lambs" came out, and the first time the world heard Hannibal Lector's now-iconic line: "I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice Chianti." The life of this little bean has never been the same.

This spring, let's reclaim fava beans. Also known as broad beans, they're green and tender, sweet and meaty. And once you've tasted a properly cooked fava bean, you just won't be able to get enough.

Fava beans pop up during spring, along with asparagus and English peas, and are one of the major reasons we're so in love with the season. So take advantage of this spring bean, and start cooking. If you're feeling a little intimidated about peeling them, take a quick look at our tutorial. And if you're still hanging on to Hannibal Lector's quote, it's time to move on. That was more than two decades ago.

Now go try one of these 16 fava bean recipes, and start celebrating one of spring's unsung heroes.

1
Fava Bean And Fresh Corn Succotash
Feasting At Home
Get the Fava Bean And Fresh Corn Succotash With Coriander Crusted Sea Bass recipe by Feasting At Home
2
Warm Fava Shallot Barley Salad
Eats Well With Others
Get the Warm Fava Shallot Barley Salad recipe by Eats Well With Others
3
Linguine With Asparagus, Morels And Fava Beans
TasteFood via
Get the Linguine With Asparagus, Morels And Fava Beans recipe by TasteFood via Food52
4
Fava Bean And Quinoa Salad
Naturally Ella
Get the Fava Bean And Quinoa Salad recipe from Naturally Ella
5
Spring Fava Bean Fennel Salad
Simply Recipes
Get the Spring Fava Bean Fennel Salad recipe by Simply Recipes
6
Smashed Peas And Fava Beans With Fresh Mozzarella
TheCilantropist/Food52
Get the Smashed Peas And Fava Beans With Fresh Mozzarella recipe adapted from Jamie Oliver by TheCilanthropist at Food 52
7
Ignacio Mattos’ Grilled Favas
Food52
Get Ignacio Mattos’ Grilled Favas recipe by Genius Recipes from Food52
8
Crispy Salmon Filet With Fava Bean Mash
The Jewels Of New York
Get the Crispy Salmon Filet With Fava Bean Mash recipe by The Jewels Of New York
9
Fava Bean Dip With Goat Cheese And Garlic
Simply Recipes
Get the Fava Bean Dip With Goat Cheese And Garlic recipe by Simply Recipes
10
Asparagus Empanadas With Fava Beans, Peas And Goat Cheese
Laylita's Kitchen
Get the Asparagus Empanadas With Fava Beans, Peas And Goat Cheese recipe from Laylita's Kitchen
11
Spring Succotash
Simply Recipes
Get the Spring Succotash recipe by Simply Recipes
12
Raw Fava Bean Crostini
Emiko/Food52
Get the Raw Fava Bean Crostini recipe by Emiko via Food52
13
Pea Shoot Salad With Fava Beans
theyearinfood
Get the Pea Shoot Salad with Fava Beans recipe by theyearinfood via Food52
14
Fava Bean Fritters
Manger
Get the Fava Bean Fritters recipe by Manger
15
Fava Bean And Pecorino Salad
Alexandra's Kitchen
Get the Fava Bean and Pecorino Salad recipe by Alexandra's Kitchen
16
Fresh Fava Bean And Almond Spread
love food eat
Get the Fresh Fava Bean And Almond Spread recipe from Love Food Eat

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