| Prep: 20 mins | Cook: 15 mins | Difficulty: Easy | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 242 | 8g | 1g | 30g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 4g | 7g | 12g | 2g |
Welcome, fellow food enthusiasts. Today I want to share with you one of my personal favorite plant-based recipes, Grilled Fava Beans with Sea Salt. This delightful homage to one of my favorite childhood memories – harvesting fresh fava beans from my grandmother’s garden. It captures the essence of our vegetable-focused Gujarati cuisine while adding a touch of Californian vibrancy.
The Allure of Grilled Fava Beans with Sea Salt
There is something incredibly satisfying about this simple, yet richly flavored dish. The fava beans, grilled to perfection and charmingly flavoured with extra-virgin olive oil and coarse sea salt, are a tantalising treat bursting with nutritional value. They are high in fiber and protein, with a low glycemic index, making them a great choice for those looking to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
The touch of citrusy lemon zest, coupled with the freshness of mint and parsley, gives the dish an uplifting brightness, making it a go-to recipe for any season. We typically enjoy this dish with slices of grilled crusty bread, which not only adds a deliciously crunchy texture but also completes it as a balanced meal.
Fusion at its Finest
As someone who’s always loved exploring flavors, creating a dish that merges the comfort of traditional Gujarati cooking with the freshness of West Coast cuisine is genuinely fulfilling. For those unfamiliar, Grilled Fava Beans with Sea Salt is similar to an Italian-inspired side dish known as ‘Fava e Cicoria’, which is also made with fava beans.
This recipe pairs well with a variety of dishes. Its robust, earthy flavors make it an excellent accompaniment to a crisp salad, a zesty grilled fish dish, or a hearty roast chicken. The possibilities are endless, and that’s part of the beauty of fusion food—it encourages creativity and breaks culinary boundaries.
Whether I’m cooking for my husband, Faisal, or my two boys, I love seeing their faces light up when they take the first bite. Their reactions remind me that food is more than just sustenance—it’s a labor of love, a cultural bridge, and a sensory experience that brings us closer together.
Try Grilled Fava Beans with Sea Salt out for yourself today, and I guarantee it will become a staple in your household too. Bon appétit!
What You’ll Need
- 2 pounds of fresh fava beans in the pod
- 2 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon of coarse sea salt
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
- 1 handful of fresh mint leaves, finely chopped
- 1 handful of fresh parsley leaves, finely chopped
- 6 slices of crusty bread, grilled
Method
Step One
Begin by preparing your grill, getting it heated to a medium-high temperature.
Step Two
As your grill is heating, shell the fava beans. Discard the pods.
Step Three
Place the shelled fava beans in a bowl and add two tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil. Mix well, ensuring all the beans are coated in the oil.
Step Four
Spread the oil coated fava beans on the hot grill. Grill them for about 5-7 minutes, turning them occasionally, until they are blistered and tender.
Step Five
Once the fava beans are grilled to your liking, transfer them back to the bowl. Season the beans with sea salt.
Step Six
Now, zest the lemon over the beans, and juice half of it directly into the bowl. If you want a stronger lemon flavor, you can juice the entire lemon. Mix well.
Step Seven
Sprinkle the finely chopped fresh mint and parsley leaves over the beans. Stir to combine.
Step Eight
Serve the grilled fava beans on top of the grilled crusty bread slices. Enjoy your delicious Grilled Fava Beans with Sea Salt!
