Broad beans

Description

Broad beans are meaty, light green seeds in thick, rough pods with a slightly sweet, nutty-buttery flavor and a creamy, slightly grainy texture when cooked. Fresh beans have an intense green color and a pleasant, earthy aroma that gently enhances other ingredients. Broad beans are a valuable source of plant protein, fiber, folic acid, iron, potassium, and B vitamins, which support satiety, digestion, blood health, and muscle function. They also contain compounds with antioxidant properties. In the kitchen, they work well in salads, soups, risottos, spreads, and as an addition to pasta; they pair wonderfully with cheese (feta, pecorino), lemon, mint, garlic, and olive oil. It is best to store broad beans in their pods in the refrigerator in a breathable container and consume them within a few days, and after blanching, freeze them in portions for longer storage.