Smashed Fava Beans on Toast with Pecorino and Mint

5.0

(2)

3 Reviews

Fava beans are one of spring’s most coveted ingredients, and my favorite way of preparing them is to smash them with mint and pecorino into a chunky spread for topping toast. Once the favas are blanched and shelled, the spread comes together in mere minutes. It makes a fine snack to start a party, but perch a poached egg on top and you’ve got breakfast or lunch.

By Andrea Slonecker

Updated on August 2, 2023

Tested by

Food & Wine Test Kitchen

Smashed Fava Beans Toast with Pecorino and Mint Recipe — Photo: Photo by Victor Protasio / Food Styling by Margaret Dickey / Prop Styling by Heather Chadduck Hillegas

Total Time:

45 mins

Yield:

4

Cook Mode (Keep screen awake)

Ingredients

2 pounds unshelled fresh fava beans
3 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh mint, divided
1 teaspoon lemon zest plus 2 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, divided
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 1/2 ounces pecorino Romano cheese, shaved (about 2/3 cup), divided
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
1/4 teaspoon black pepper, plus more for serving
4 rustic bread slices, toasted

Directions

Snap off and discard stem ends from fava bean pods; peel off and discard stringy seams on either side of pods. Split open pods, and remove beans.
Bring a medium saucepan filled with water to a boil over medium-high. Prepare an ice bath in a large bowl. Add beans to boiling water, and boil until tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Immediately transfer beans to ice bath, and let stand 2 minutes. Drain. Using your fingernail, tear or break through outer shell, and pinch out bright green beans inside. Discard shells.
Using a marble mortar and wooden pestle, grind 2 tablespoons mint, lemon zest, and salt into a smooth paste, about 30 seconds. Add half of the fava beans and 1/2 cup cheese. Pound and smash to a very coarse paste, about 5 minutes. Add remaining half of fava beans, and smash to a chunky spread. Stir in lemon juice, oil, and pepper. Taste and adjust seasonings.
Spoon fava spread on toasted bread slices. Top evenly with remaining cheese and remaining 1 tablespoon mint. Drizzle with oil, sprinkle with pepper, and serve.