What Is а Fava? Is it the Greek National Dish or Just а Beans?

Fava beans are one of the oldest cultivated plants. Faba bean and broad bean are other names for this buttery, nutty, mild-flavored bean.

National Dish of Greece

Greece is a country with diverse regional traditions. Instead of having one national dish as most countries do, Greece has six national dishes that represent their diverse culture. Those dishes are Gyro, Moussaka, Souvlaki, Magiritsa, Kokoretsi, and Fasolada.

Fasolada

Fasolada is a soup-like dish made with fava beans, water, tomato paste a bay leaf, garlic, oregano, parsley, and apple cider vinegar. Feta cheese is sometimes used as a garnish. A piece of crusty bread is often served with Fasolada.

Fasolada is eaten year-round in Greece. It is a frequently eaten item during the times when those of the Greek Orthodox faith abstain from consuming meat.

Nutritional Snack

Salted roasted fava beans are packed with healthy goodness. They have a nutty flavor and a satisfying crunchiness. Adding these to your diet is an excellent way to boost the fiber in your diet. Fiber is beneficial to the digestive system and to your heart health. These beans are a good source of protein and iron. Protein is essential to overall wellness. Including these immensely healthy beans in your diet will help assure you are getting the vitamins, and minerals your body needs to function at its best. When roasted, these beans are a flavorful topping for salads. They can be used to add crispiness and a nutty flavor to snack mixes.

Dietary Concerns

Finding healthy snacks can be challenging for people with dietary restrictions. Fava beans have a low glycemic index and can be helpful in managing diabetes. The fiber content in these beans contributes to a feeling of fullness making them an acceptable part of a weight loss diet. These beans can be included in a vegetarian diet, low carbohydrate diet, gluten-free diet, or heart-healthy diet. Recipes using dried broad beans are extensive and diverse. These beans can be used in pasta dishes such as ravioli. They’re great in soups and stews. A popular item to pair with this bean is risotto. You can also make a fava spread, hummus, or puree to put on toast or crackers.