Fava Beans with Pancetta
Savor the rustic charm of Mediterranean cuisine with this vibrant Fava Beans with Pancetta recipe. Perfectly blanched fava beans are paired with crispy, golden pancetta and infused with the bold flavors of garlic, zesty lemon, and fresh parsley. This dish is a delightful balance of earthy, smoky, and tangy notes, made even more enticing by the rich drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. With just 15 minutes of prep and 20 minutes of cooking, this quick yet gourmet recipe is ideal as a flavorful side dish or a light, satisfying meal. Serve it warm with crusty bread for a complete experience of Italian-inspired comfort food. Keywords: fava beans recipe, pancetta and beans, easy Mediterranean side dish.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 500 grams fava beans (fresh or frozen)
- 150 grams pancetta (diced)
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 whole lemon (zested and juiced)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (chopped)
- 0.5 teaspoons salt
- 0.25 teaspoons black pepper (freshly ground)
Instructions
If using fresh fava beans, remove the beans from their pods. Blanch the beans in boiling water for 2 minutes, then transfer them to an ice bath. Once cooled, remove the outer skins by gently pinching them. Set the beans aside.
Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil.
Once the oil is hot, add the diced pancetta to the skillet. Cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pancetta is golden and crispy.
Add the minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for 1 minute, making sure it does not burn.
Stir in the prepared fava beans and cook for another 3–5 minutes until the beans are tender and warmed through.
Add the lemon zest and juice to the skillet, tossing everything together. Adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper to taste.
Remove from heat and sprinkle the chopped parsley over the dish.
Serve warm as a side dish or a light meal, accompanied by crusty bread if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1246 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 74.7 g | 96% | |
| Saturated Fat | 20.6 g | 103% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 107 mg | 36% | |
| Sodium | 3456 mg | 150% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 86.0 g | 31% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 29.1 g | 104% | |
| Total Sugars | 10.7 g | ||
| Protein | 76.8 g | 154% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 226 mg | 17% | |
| Iron | 10.1 mg | 56% | |
| Potassium | 2367 mg | 50% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
