Behold the bounty!
It was everything I dreamed of and more.
Rainbow chard, russian red kale, heirloom lettuce, fava beans, broccoli and summer squash. Gorgeous!!
I possess a newfound love for fava beans. How could you NOT love these big fun peapods?
Naturally, I started shucking them right there and then.
They are a bit of a pain to shuck but totally worth the effort. The bean is slightly sweet and nutty. And you can eat them raw for a quick snack!
Oh my little favas. You are so cute I just want to eat you!
I stood there in my new kitchen with nothing but fava beans, a cutting board and a box of plates, shucking away for quite some time. When I looked at my watch I realized it was time for my hair so I hightailed it out of there. Oh, how I love living in a city with stoplights. Traffic? What’s that? Santa Rosa is clearly big city living!
While I was getting my hair done I thought of all the ways I wanted to eat my fava beans for dinner. I was going to make pasta with the rainbow chard and beans and it sounded so good. However, then I realized that all of my necessary cooking utensils and ingredients were still packed and all I had was a fridge with cottage cheese in it.
Cottage cheese and heirloom lettuce? No thanks.
Sighing, I leaned up against the kitchen wall and enjoyed my first meal in my new apartment at 8:45. Granola and cottage cheese.
Dinner of champions.
Tomorrow I will have to find my pots, pans and garlic and get to cooking with these new veggies. I promise no more boring meals…I know its hurts your eyes and it hurts my soul just the same.
As for now, goodnight.
Coco @ Opera Girl Cooks
May 13, 2010 at 9:05 pmHey what a coincidence, I cooked some fava beans today, too! My mom got them from a friend who grows them in her back yard. I think they’re one of my favorite spring vegetables, for sure!
Jenna (Hello, I Love You)
May 13, 2010 at 9:08 pmI joined a CSA program today! I am so excited to see what is in our first “delivery!”
Krystina
May 13, 2010 at 9:11 pmI really want to try fava beans, but they terrify me both for their size and from watching Silence of the Lambs too many times. I must try them, though.
Michele | aka Raw Juice Girl
May 13, 2010 at 9:22 pmAwesome produce you have there!!!
Oh, I have rainbow chard growing in my garden! And I’ve been drinking a juice I created (daily!): Rainbow Grass – can’t get enough of it!
Too bad you had to settle for such a simple dinner, but I know exciting meals are in the near future!!!
So glad you’re lovin’ your new place – congrats!!!!
Healthy hugs,
Michele
Michele | aka Raw Juice Girl
May 13, 2010 at 9:22 pmAwesome produce you have there!!!
Oh, I have rainbow chard growing in my garden! And I’ve been drinking a juice I created (daily!): Rainbow Grass – can’t get enough of it!
Too bad you had to settle for such a simple dinner, but I know exciting meals are in the near future!!!
So glad you’re lovin’ your new place – congrats!!!!
Healthy hugs,
Michele
Lisa (bakebikeblog)
May 13, 2010 at 9:25 pmoooooh fava beans!! Awesome!!!!
Heba
May 13, 2010 at 9:35 pmHey Jenna! As an Egyptian-American who loves to cook, I make my fair share of fava beans, haha (the quintessential Egyptian breakfast meal!). Here’s a fava bean recipe that I made recently and wanted to share: http://mylifeinapyramid.com/2010/04/10/beans-for-breakfast-fava-beans-egyptian-ful-medames/
Also, I came across this fava bean recipe for “Spring Succotash” on Simply Recipes that looks delicious: http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/spring_succotash/
Looking forward to new ideas for fava bean recipes! 🙂
p.s. Can’t wait to join a CSA and get fresh local produce!!
kelsey@snackingsquirrel.com
May 13, 2010 at 9:49 pmFAVALOUS LOVE just FAVALOUS hehe
jenny (green food diaries)
May 13, 2010 at 10:09 pmso THOSE are fava beans! i’ve been seeing them at the grocer’s recently. awesome.
Sarah
May 13, 2010 at 10:33 pmSometimes you just have to give in to the too tired for anything but cereal dinner thing. At least you had cottage cheese to spice things up!
Mastering Public Health
May 13, 2010 at 11:35 pmBeautiful delivery. That’s almost too many greens for one girl! (Then again, I’m not sure that there is such a thing.) If that isn’t inspiration for a few new recipes, what is?
Freya @ Brit Chick Runs
May 14, 2010 at 12:09 amI’ve never even seen a fava bean before! I’m assuming they must be something incredible from this post 😛
I hope your first day has gone well 🙂
Helen
May 14, 2010 at 12:11 amThey are SO cute!! Very inventive meal with cottage cheese…..but I bet you can’t wait to use up all that gorgeous produce in a real meal!
Christie {Honoring Health}
May 14, 2010 at 3:08 amI have never cooked fava beans before, I don’t even know that I have ever seen them.
I also had to tell you, I had a dream that we had coffee last night. We just chatted it up until I woke up. It was so strange since I have never met you at all.
Sarah
May 14, 2010 at 3:12 amI ate fava beans, whole, in Italy last spring when I bought them from a farmer’s market. I wanted green beans, but this was the closest thing. I haven’t seen them in my local grocery store. I can’t wait to see your creations with all of the veggies! I hope to get a few ideas since I always eat my veggies in a stirfry or steamed.
Emily Eats and Exercises
May 14, 2010 at 3:12 amI have definitely never actually seen a fava bean – just heard about them from Anthony Hopkins of course…
Don’t worry about the boring eats – moving makes everything else impossible – I hear you on that one. 🙁
Kath
May 14, 2010 at 3:14 amThat looks like one hot kitchen!
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is
May 14, 2010 at 3:34 amI have never had a fava bean before. Not sure I’d like ’em!
Jenna
May 14, 2010 at 3:50 amYou do whatever works for ya 😉
Erin (Travel, Eat, Repeat)
May 14, 2010 at 4:31 amSuch an incredible spread! It would also make you try new vegetables, too. Definitely have to check this out in my area.
LisaR
May 14, 2010 at 4:38 amAhhh… I want a veggie box!!!
Sarah (Running to Slow Things Down)
May 14, 2010 at 4:50 amI spotted fava beans at wholefoods the other day and am now regretting the fact that I left them behind. Need to try these soon! 😀
MMiller
May 14, 2010 at 4:57 amI have never had a fava bean! They kind of remind me of Edamame! I will have to look for them! Have a fun creative day with those veggies!
Tracey @ I'm Not Superhuman
May 14, 2010 at 5:01 amI can’t help thinking of Silence of the Lambs when I hear fava beans. Sorry. They’re delicious. And beautiful.
Alex @ IEatAsphalt
May 14, 2010 at 5:02 amThat chard looks sooo good!
Kelly @ Healthy Living With Kelly
May 14, 2010 at 5:15 amTruthfully, cereal for dinner is my ultimate favorite thing!!!
Staceyhttp://stacey-healthylife.blogspot.com/
May 14, 2010 at 5:38 amI just got my produce delivery yesterday also. There was some really nice snap peas can’t wait to try.
Katie
May 14, 2010 at 5:45 amI’m so jealous! I’ve been dying to join a CSA, but they all require you to pay up front for like 3 months! Did you pay up front? Just a helpful hint (maybe you already know) but if you blanch the fava beans after removing the pod, but before removing the skin, its much easier to peel the skin off. I’m pretty much a fava bean expert, I peel thousands at the restaurant I work at 😉
Heather (Heather's Dish)
May 14, 2010 at 5:46 ami’d love to see what you do with the fava beans…i can’t help but think of dumb & dumber when i hear those words 🙂
Lindsay @ Summit Sandwiches
May 14, 2010 at 5:49 amWow. That produce looks incredible. I need to join a CSA! Can’t go wrong with local produce!
eatmovelove
May 14, 2010 at 5:51 amGet your pots and pans!!
allison @ livingoneday
May 14, 2010 at 5:52 amall i can think about when i heard the words fava beans is “i ate his livaa, with some fava beans and a nice chiannnnti” (silence of the lambs, anyone??) SORRY i know, but they look like so much fun!
Annie@stronghealthyfit
May 14, 2010 at 5:56 amI’m so jealous of your CSA subscription! Hope the new place is going well 🙂
kalli@fitandfortysomething
May 14, 2010 at 6:18 amcsa’s are the best! great loot 🙂
Becca
May 14, 2010 at 6:20 amNice CSA loot! Looks amazing!
Amanda @ Cakes and Ale
May 14, 2010 at 6:47 amI’m a huge fava bean fan. I just signed up for a CSA here in Chicago a few weeks ago – hoping to see some fava beans or spring peas in my box!
I think favas would make for an excellent creamy spring soup too… give that a try!
Jessica @ The Process of Healing
May 14, 2010 at 6:47 amI’ve never had fava beans but they look good! I’ve never had heirloom lettuce or red kale either so I’m excited to see what you do with them!
Raya @ Raya Runs
May 14, 2010 at 6:56 amYes please make pasta. Pretty please. Maybe with some brie in it like before. Thanks.
Haha 🙂
Samantha @ Food Edu
May 14, 2010 at 7:03 amI dislike moving for the very reason you are talking about–not being able to find your stuff. The packing, boxing and carrying stuff doesn’t bother me so much—it is the unpacking and not being able to find what you need! Congrats on your veggie box!
Anna (twelve22)
May 14, 2010 at 7:15 amWhen I lived it London, I had an amazing organic box delivered every Monday, and it DID feel just like Christmas — a surprise every time! Mine was a mixed fruit and veg box, and I was only just starting to expand my vegetable horizons, so it was always a challenge to figure out what to do with everything.
Jil
May 14, 2010 at 7:45 amAmazing!! I want a veggie box/bag!!! Those favas look so good!
cara
May 14, 2010 at 8:08 amI can’t wait to see what you do with those veggies. Sounds like so much fun!
Abby
May 14, 2010 at 8:13 amFava beans make me think of Hannibal the cannibal! I don’t know if I will ever be able to eat them…
Dorothy
May 14, 2010 at 8:31 amI’ve been eating cottage cheese & granola for breakfast everyday for a week…ever since I made some granola in my food dehydrator for my mom for Mother’s Day (and happened to have a little leftover). It’s SO good!
Kelly
May 14, 2010 at 8:33 amOoooh, what did you do to your hair? Anything new? I’m dying to chop mine all off but am waiting until I get back from my honeymoon in August, if I can hold off that long.
Cynthia (It All Changes)
May 14, 2010 at 8:35 amI’m going to join a CSA this weekend. I can’t wait!
Camille
May 14, 2010 at 8:36 amIsn’t the empty fridge kind of liberating?
I remember the first time I food shopped after moving and it was like a wonderful (expensive) fresh start!
Teresa
May 14, 2010 at 8:36 amThose veggies look so fresh ! I would have no idea on how to cook fava beans—never have tried them before.
So how about the new place tour??? I am sure its very nice.
Courtney (Pancakes & Postcards)
May 14, 2010 at 8:49 amHow fun! So jealous. I want a veggie box delivery!!!
Michelle
May 14, 2010 at 9:00 ammmm fried fava beans can be sooo delicious but oh so naughty. 😛
I’m giving away 2 jars of organic preserves and immediately thought of you and your love for gourmet flavors! I promise Food for Thought jams are waaaaaayyyy awesome! Strawberry basil preserves or blueberry merlot jam strike your fancy?
runnerforever
May 14, 2010 at 9:28 amAll of that produce looks so fresh, how great!
Diana @ frontyardfoodie
May 14, 2010 at 9:59 amhaha, cottage cheese and heirloom lettuce sounds amazing…I won’t lie. I could eat that all day long.
I’ve never bought fresh fava beans! I’ll have to soon because those look so good!
Rachel @ Balance and Blueberries
May 14, 2010 at 10:14 amJealous of the CSA in your area! The fava beans look great. I’m going to have to get my hands on some.
Jackie (Peaces of Earth)
May 14, 2010 at 11:11 amOkay, that’s it. I’m joining a CSA. Oh wait, I’m going to London for the summer. Okay, when I get back I’m joining a CSA. For now, I need to buy me some fava beans. I’ve actually never bought them and shucked them myself! It’s time.
Danica
May 14, 2010 at 11:20 amWow – you totally scored on your Veggie BAG – LOTS of great stuff!
Be careful eating Fava Beans Raw especially if you are anemic. You can get favism ~ a super awful allergic reaction….you can google it to check it out.