For many, broad beans conjure up memories of sad, gray, mealy specimens drowning in a floury white sauce. But this simple Spanish classic is here to redeem them. In season alongside asparagus and peas, broad beans often get overlooked, yet they've been a staple of European diets since antiquity.
This stew, fragrant with garlic and paprika, transforms the humble fava into something rich and comforting. Even the most dedicated bean skeptic might become a convert.
The Oxford Companion to Food notes a "superstitious dread" around beans, but I can assure you: no haunting occurs. Just a deeply satisfying meal.
Give it a try — you may never skip bean season again.