Fava Bean Mint Bruschetta (Printable)

Creamy fava mash with mint and lemon on charred sourdough — a bright, spring-ready vegetarian starter.

# Ingredient List:

→ Vegetables & Herbs

01 - 300 g fresh or frozen fava beans, shelled
02 - 1 small clove garlic, minced
03 - 2 tbsp fresh mint leaves, finely chopped
04 - Zest of 1/2 lemon
05 - 1 tbsp fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped (optional)

→ Dairy

06 - 60 g ricotta cheese or goat cheese (optional for added creaminess)

→ Bread

07 - 4 thick slices sourdough bread

→ Pantry

08 - 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, divided
09 - 1/2 tsp sea salt
10 - 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
11 - 1 tsp lemon juice

# How-to Steps:

01 - Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the fava beans and boil for 2–3 minutes (if fresh) or 4–5 minutes (if frozen). Drain and plunge into ice water. Peel off and discard the tough outer skins.
02 - In a bowl, mash the peeled fava beans with a fork until coarse. Stir in garlic, mint, lemon zest, parsley (if using), 2 tbsp olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
03 - Brush sourdough slices lightly with the remaining 1 tbsp olive oil. Grill on a hot grill pan or barbecue for 2–3 minutes per side, until golden and charred.
04 - Optional: For extra creaminess, spread ricotta or goat cheese onto the grilled bread before topping with the fava bean mixture.
05 - Spoon the fava bean and mint mixture generously over the grilled sourdough. Serve immediately, garnished with extra mint if desired.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • The combination of fresh mint and creamy fava beans feels almost like a hidden garden in every bite.
  • Grilled sourdough gives it that perfect smoky bite, making it nearly impossible to stop at one piece.
02 -
  • I once skipped peeling the fava beans to save time, only to bite into chewy skins—never again.
  • Letting the mixture sit for five minutes before assembling allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
03 -
  • Never underestimate the importance of peeling the beans—it’s the key to smooth texture.
  • A drizzle of really good olive oil over finished bruschetta makes them sing.
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