Have you eaten fresh fava beans recently? No? Well, you are missing out on a wonderfully sweet, tender, and versatile legume. Only the perfect bottle of wine can make a fava bean dish even better. In this case, we’re pairing Chablis with this newly in-season vegetable. Discover more food and wine pairings on our seasonal recipes page.
In Season Now: Fava Beans
June – September
While common sense tells us to avoid the culinary recommendations of cannibals, fava beans are actually a great summer ingredient! Fresh, earthy, creamy in texture, and sweet like peas, you can make a delicious risotto, sauce, or pilaf with fava beans. Split the pod, remove the beans, blanch them in boiling water for a few minutes, and cool immediately in an ice bath. Drain, and now they’re ready for a killer salad. A simple way to serve fava beans is tossed with extra-virgin olive oil, salted to taste, and topped with pecorino cheese.
- Our friends at Edible Rhody Magazine have a great recipe for Pecorino Toscano and Fava Bean Salad.
- In Rhode Island like us? Visit your local farmer’s market for the freshest fava beans.
Wine Pairing
Chablis from Chablis, France are some of the best Chardonnays there are. The term ‘Chablis’ has been misused to refer to generic white wine, which is not what we’re talking about in this case. You should give real Chablis a try! Dry, steely, fruity, and super refreshing, Chablis is not your grandma’s buttery Chardonnay. Enjoyed with your favorite fava bean dish!
Or, just grab a bottle of nice Chianti…
- Domaine d’Elise Chablis is a white burgundy (100% Chardonnay grapes).
- Wine has been made in the village of Chablis in Burgundy, France since the ninth century!
- The limestone soils of Chablis give this wine a great minerality that matches the flavor of fava beans.