Fresh Fava Bean and Summer Vegetable Salad

This winter I saw a few recipes that called for fresh fava beans, but I’ve never been able to find them in a store, so I chose this to be one of my experimental crops in my community garden this year.  They are a bit of work to shuck and peel, but they are so tender and delicious.  I think I’ll be growing them again next year to try out a few of the other recipes.  This salad capitalizes on the availability of fresh vegetables in the summertime, at the peak of their flavour.

What you need:

• about a pound of fava beans in their shells
• one cob of fresh corn, cooked and the kernels cut off
• a few small cucumbers or half a large one
• 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup lightly toasted walnuts
• your favourite vinaigrette or this one:
• 1 heaping teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar
• a little salt and pepper
• 2 – 3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
• 2-3 tablespoons olive oil

What you do:

1. Toast the walnuts a little and let them cool.  I do this is a frying pan, tossing often and watching them carefully so they don’t burn.
2. Cook the corn and let it cool. You can boil it for just a few minutes or grill it.
3. While the corn and nuts are cooling down you can prepare the fava beans.  Begin by boiling a large pot of water.  Remove the beans from their pods, then boil for 2 & 1/2 to 3 minutes; less time for smaller beans.  Drain then cool down right away in a bowl or sink full of cold water; ice water is even better.
4. Now comes the labourious part – remove the skin from each bean. Make sure you’re listening to some good music and the time will pass quickly.
5. Mix the vinaigrette ingredients and pour some of it over the sliced red pepper to mellow the flavour a little. Let this sit for about 20 minutes.
6. Slice the cucumbers as thinly as you can, with a mandoline.
7. Combine the cooled fava beans, corn, cucumbers, and the onion with its dressing.  Toss lightly, then add more dressing if you think it is needed; I liked it best lightly dressed.
8. Top with the toasted nuts just before serving.