Spring Recipes Ideas

It's time to start looking for Fava Beans and Fresh Peas!

There are so many wonderful foods that will begin to be available now that we are entering Springtime. Two wonderful foods are fresh fava beans and fresh english peas. Both are early season crops and although they may be more work than some other vegetables, they are sooo worth the effort. They are healthy choices and in addition to being delicious foods on their own with simple seasonings, they make great additions to almost anything you can imagine.

Celebrate the Vernal (Spring) Equinox
Vernal Equinox Mar 20 2009 11:44 Universal Time

Whether you're pagan or christian, late March is an important time in the Northern Hemisphere. In one way or another, we will all be celebrating rebirth. The dark winter death has passed and life is beginning again. I used to hate Fall because it was the time of year when everything died. Now I can appreciate the shedding of the old in fall followed by the dormancy and regeneration of winter, resulting in the rebirth and reanimation of spring.

The vernal (spring) equinox falls on March 20th this year. At 11:44 Universal Time the sun will cross over the equator. South of the equator, this date and time are the autumnal equinox as they pass into their fall season. You can see how the differences between the northern and southern hemispheres is what allows us to eat fresh vegetables imported from the countries south of the equator during our dormant season.

This date has been a marker for change since ancient times. Some of our contemporary icons related to Easter (which is celebrated the first Sunday after the first full moon following the vernal equinox) such as the rabbit and the egg have significance dating back centuries. The rabbit or hare has long been a sign of fertility and symbolic of a lush harvest for the coming season. The egg represents birth and new life.

Regardless of whether your celebration is with family or friends or just your own private meditations, food can be a wonderful reflection on this time of year. It is a time when many of our favorite vegetables begin their season here in California and elsewhere in the Northern Hemisphere.

Special Spring Foods

Fava Beans
Fava beans are high in fiber and iron, and low in sodium and fat. In one cup of beans, you'll get 13g protein, a low .7g total fat (sat fat .1g), 61mg calcium, 73mg magnesium, 456mg potassium, carb 33g and fiber 9g.

In one-half cup of english peas (fresh peas or garden peas) with a low 62 calories you'll get 4 grams of protein, 11 grams of carbohydrates, 4 grams of fiber, .2g of fat, 19mg calcium, 134 mg potassium and 23mg magnesium.

Preparing Fava beans can be time consuming because not only do you have to remove them from the pod, but the outer skin of the bean is somewhat tough so it is ideally removed as well. It is a simple process, but takes a bit of time and the handling of each bean. If you prefer, you can substitute frozen lima beans for fava beans. A reasonable guide to purchasing fava beans for a recipes is to presume from 1 lb fava beans in pod you will get approximately 3/4 cup fava beans.

To prepare Fava beans Split open the pods and remove all the beans. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add salt and drop in the beans. Boil for about 3 minutes, then remove to a bowl of cold water with ice. When beans have cooled enough to handle, using a paring knife or your thumbnail, split the outer skin at one end and press from the other end to pop out the fava bean.

Fava beans are often combined with specific flavors. You will frequently find recipes for favas with artichokes, lamb, parsley, lemon or proscuitto. Here are some ways I like to use them. Of course, you can also just cook them and smash them with your favorite herbs and spread them on toast. Or mash with milk and butter or broth and olive oil as an alternative to mashed potatoes.

Fava Bean snack
Fava Beans with Lamb and Rice (Fool mà Rizz)
Spaghetti with Fava Beans and Cherry Tomatoes
Melinda's Italian Style Frittata

English Peas
Wheras fava beans take time to prepare, English Peas - also called Garden Peas or Green Peas - are very quick. However they don't have a long shelf life, so if you don't grow them, it's best to purchase them from a farmer's market and cook them right away. If you can't locate fresh english peas, you can substitute frozen green peas.

To prepare english peas, simply remove them from the pods. Of course you can just boil them for a few minutes, but they can be livened up with several additions as well as being a wonderful addition to many spring time dishes.

Aside from eating peas fresh from the pods, here are a few ideas; some traditional, some more contemporary.

Lemon & Pea Crostini
Fresh Pea soup
Peas with Shallot & Mint
Risotto with peas & proscuitto

Menus

A Vegetarian Celebration
What a perfect match for rebirth and renewal. Celebrating the beautiful vegetation produced by the earth is certainly an outstanding way to proclaim spring.

Arugula with Dried Cherries
Roasted Fennel and Baby Red Potatoes
Roman Style Artichokes garnished with Fava Beans
Cheese with dried fruit and Chocolates

Traditional Spring Celebration Menu
Try to find grass fed Lamb - click here for information and sources.

Herb Salad with Lemon Dressing
Barbeque Leg of Lamb
Roasted Asparagus
Marinated Strawberries with Mint


The absolutely best early spring dessert is my mom's Rhubarb Cobbler. I recommend it highly to follow any meal using dishes above.

Kathy's Rhubarb Cobbler



Decorating Ideas
Lilacs, Tulips, Daffodils, Hyacinth, Narcissus
What conveys 'springtime' more than flowers. The bulbs have pushed up through the cold earth and the flowers have begun to be showy. They remind us of what is to come. I think a lovely decorating idea is to pick up several simple baskets; perhaps a very large one for the dining table. Line the bottom with something to prevent any moisture from seeping out onto the table. Pick up one large and several small pots of flowering spring bulbs. Also pick up some pots of low growing greenery such as ferns, saxifrages, bacopa, etc. and create a little garden scene in the basket for your dining table. In the smaller baskets, place one small pot of flowering bulbs with one pot of greenery. You can conceal the pots themsleves with mosses or clippings of shrubs or vines from your own garden. You could also nestle a few hard-cooked eggs into the arrangements.

Enjoy your spring!

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