What Are Broad Beans?

Following on from my last post about growing broad beans, I thought it might be useful to provide a few facts about these fascinating (and great tasting) vegetables.

So… what are broad beans?

They are also called fava beans.
Broad beans are native to Africa and south west Asia but are now grown all over the world.
Height – 0.5 – 1.8 metres
Broad beans have a high protein content.
In European folkore it brings good luck to plant your broad beans on Good Friday.
They are a rich source of vitamin C.
Don’t forget that classic line from ‘Silence of the Lambs’ uttered by Hannibal Lecter about eating her liver accompanied by fava beans and Chianti. Broad beans, as well as the wine and liver, are foods that are not supposed to be eaten if taking MAO inhibitors (type of drug used to treat depression).
There is evidence that these beans became part of the eastern Mediterranean diet approximately 6000 BC (or perhaps even earlier).
Common hazards of growing broad beans – rust and chocolate spot (fungal diseases) and black bean aphid.
You can store these beans by freezing or drying.
In Italy, broad beans are traditionally sown on 2nd November – ‘All Souls Day’. Small cakes shaped into beans are eaten they are called fave dei morti (beans of the dead). It is said that once in Sicily all crops failed that is all but the broad beans. Because of the broad bean harvest the people did not starve. They showed their relief by giving thanks to Saint Joseph. After this it became tradition, in some Italian communities, to put broad beans on the church alter on Saint Joesph’s Day. Some Italians even carry a broad bean for good luck.