p.s. Am saving your pancetta and mint recipe for fava season here. Can't wait.

innoabrd-- I heard this about falafel when I was traveling in Israel --where I couldn't eat enough of it -- and I noticed that it sometimes had a greenish hue. Have never tried making it with fava (or chick peas for that matter) at home though.

Thanks, everyone, for your thoughts!

First, I've gone ahead and posted the recipe I usually use for favas. While they're in season I do this once or twice a week...

http://www.food52.com/recipes/9061_fresh_fava_beans_with_pancetta_and_mint

Now, I used about a third of them in a tortilla this morning, along with the second tomato of the season from the garden and some shallots. Was OK, but shoulda added some pancetta...

The remainder I ended up using for a Besara of my own devising. Turned out yummy, shame I didn't do this before the the dips contest...

http://www.food52.com/recipes/9062_besara_or_green_houmous

BTW, Midge, did you know that in parts of the middle east, and most especially in Egypt, falafel are made with fava? In Egypt this is distinguished from chickpea falafel as, "tamiya". However, not made with fresh fava, you use dry fava, which are soaked, but not cooked, before grinding with the other ingredients and then deep fried.

I do a simple dish with favas of tossing them with olive oil, garlic, lemon and chopped fresh mint leaves. Season to taste with a little salt and I can sit and eat an entire bowl.

I love favas but they are a pain in Cleopatra's royal ass to shell etc. But the end result is worth it. Here I do them Roman style http://www.food52.com/recipes/3783_burnt_fingers_and_fresh_favas

I like fresh fava hummus, which is what I usually make with the frozen bags of favas. I also like a puree with a more Italian flavor for crostini--cook some crushed garlic in olive oil and puree with favas and salt, pepper, and lemon (maybe some meyer lemon zest). Serve on crostini with fresh ricotta. Favas, or "broad beans" are also used in Chinese recipes. I like to stir fry with a bit of ginger, red chili, and scallions, but many restaurant preperations have ham or ground pork.

Lucky you! I like to mash them with olive oil, garlic, and lemon, some crème fraiche or plain yogurt, and s+p, probably similar to besara? Also, what about falafel?

Maybe you could come up with a recipe using the favas in a seafood pasta for this weeks contest. Epicurious has some great fava ideas as well. I'm sure anything you do with them will be delicious! http://www.epicurious.com/tools/searchresults?search=fava&type=simple&threshold=53&sort=1

I also love fresh fava beans.
http://casa-giardino.blogspot.com/2010/10/last-night-dinner-dandelions-fava-beans.html