Fava Beans with Prosciutto and Cream

Fava beans topped with prosciutto cream, and freshly chopped chives.

Fava Beans with Prosciutto and Cream

This recipe for Fava Beans with Prosciutto + Cream is an easy and delicious recipe for spring! Creamy fava beans with salty prosciutto, simmered in a luscious sauce and finished with fresh chives.

5 from 1 vote

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Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: chives, cream, fava beans, prosciutto

Prep Time: 45

Cook Time: 15

Total Time: 1

Servings: servings

Calories: 554kcal

Author: Nicole Gaffney (ColeyCooks.com)

Ingredients

1 pound freshly shucked fava beans roughly 3 ½ cups from about 3 pounds of pods
½ teaspoon olive oil
¼ lb thinly sliced prosciutto roughly chopped
1 clove garlic minced
1 ½ cups heavy cream
salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
¼ lemon squeezed (about 1-2 teaspoons)
2 tablespoons minced chives

Instructions

To Cook and Peel the Fava Beans

Bring a large pot of water to a boil and liberally season with salt. It should taste like the ocean. Prepare an ice bath and set aside. If the favas vary greatly in size, separate them into two piles: one larger and one smaller.
Drop the larger favas into the boiling water first and allow to cook for about 90 seconds, then drop in the smaller beans. Cook for about 2 minutes longer, or until the beans are tender throughout (cook time will depend on their size so be sure to check).
Drain the beans and immediately submerge in the ice bath. Once cool, strain, then remove the peel from each individual bean. After blanching, they should slip right off.

To Prepare the Dish

Place the olive oil and prosciutto in a large saucepan over medium heat and sauté until the prosciutto has rendered down and crisped up, about 4 minutes. Pour out any fat in the pan so there is only 1 teaspoon remaining.
Add in the garlic and sauté for 30 seconds, then pour in the cream. Bring up to a boil and allow the cream to reduce by half. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Add in the peeled fava beans and continue cooking for about 2 more minutes until the sauce has tightened up and the flavors have melded together. Squeeze the lemon in to brighten up the sauce, taste, and adjust the seasoning as needed. Garnish with chives and serve immediately, right out of the pan.

Notes

Choose fava beans that are fresh looking, not too big, bright green and firm.

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