Vibrant Fava Bean Hummus

Delightful and Delicious Green Hummus Made from Fresh Fava Beans.

Fava Bean Hummus is a seasonal favorite of mine, crafted from fresh, local ingredients.  One look at these comically huge, pastel green beans, and you can't help but recall Jack and the Beanstock.  And they are truly magic!

The bean stocks grow like weeds over the winter in my Santa Cruz backyard, watered only by rainfall. Unlike our other crops, the gophers don’t even bother them! We plant in the fall to harvest in late spring.  Each stock can reach 5 to 6 feet tall and produce dozens dozens of large pods.

Amy Standing in a Fava Forest

 The beans are absolutely loaded with nutrients.  They provide abundant fiber and protein, along with numerous vitamins and minerals. Remove them from the pods and steam them, and they are ready to eat (dipped in a bit of salt they are delicious)! Or use them in this simple recipe for a spectacular treat.

Ingredients:

1.5 cups steamed fresh fava beans (don’t peel the skins off of the individual beans)

½ cup lemon juice (Meyer lemon is especially delicious)

1 clove garlic

1/3 cup sesame tahini (toasted or raw are both great)

2-3 Tsp olive oil

Salt to taste

Ground cumin to taste (optional)

Instructions:

Blend all ingredients in a food processor until creamy.   It’s THAT simple!

Enjoy with pita, crackers, or bread of your choice. 

Story and Recipe Contributed by Nourishing Generations Board Member Amy Lombardi