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How to Prepare Fava Beans. Whether you enjoy a nice Chianti or not, this guide will help
clean and prepare those fava beans before you have your next guest for dinner. You will
need Patience and time. Step 1. Pinch the stem of the fava bean pod and unzip the seam
that joins both sections together. Choose pods that are smooth and bright green. Pods
that bulge out are probably old and bitter. Step 2. Slide your finger inside the pod and
scoop out the four or five beans and transfer them to a colander. Discard the fibrous, inedible
pod shell. Shucking fava beans can be a time-consuming process, so turn this tedious task into a
family event. Step 3. Wash the beans in cold water to remove any dirt or debris that may
have contaminated them during the shucking process. Step 4. Blanch the fava beans in
simmering water in small batches for 30 seconds. Quickly transfer the beans to a bowl of ice
water to stop any cooking. Step 5. Remove the waxy coating by squeezing the bean between
your thumb and index finger. Toss this white membrane away with the pod shells. Fava beans
may be called broad beans or pigeon beans in different parts of the country. Step 6.
Prepare the beans according to any recipe and enjoy the tasty meaty texture of one of
the world's tastiest superfoods -- the fava bean. Did you know The earliest known version
of "Jack and the Beanstalk" can be traced to an early British fairy tale from 1807.