Step 1

Set a large pot of water to the boil. Meanwhile, pop your fava beans out of the pod. (Here is a video showing you how.)

Step 2

When the water boils, add enough salt to make it taste salty, several tablespoons. Get a bowl of ice water ready. Toss in half the fava beans and let them boil 1 to 2 minutes. Remove them with a skimmer to the ice water. Repeat with the other half of the beans.

Step 3

While the second group of beans is cooking, the first should have all fallen to the bottom of your ice water bowl. Remove them and set aside. Add the new beans and let them chill.

Step 4

Using your thumbnail, remove the outer shell of each fava bean at the top, where the yellowish scar is; on older beans this scar will be black. Discard or compost the shells. Your fava beans are ready for any number of recipes.