Grown around the world, fava beans are thin, flat legumes that are used in many types of cuisine, including Mediterranean food. In Spain, fried fava beans are frequently eaten as a tapas snack. They are commonly used in Italian side dishes, such as the Tuscan fave e pecorino, which combines raw fava beans with pecorino cheese. Fava beans can also be simmered to make a delicious hot vegetarian meal. Ful Medames from Egypt, for example, is a dish made of stewed fava beans, and the beans also make excellent additions to soups. Try them at tapas hour with a nice chianti.
