fava bean

fa·va bean | \ ˈfä-və-

How to pronounce fava bean (audio)

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Definition of fava bean

: the large, flat, edible, starchy seed of an Old World upright vetch (Vicia faba) that is typically pale green to whitish in color and is eaten raw, blanched, or cooked also : this plant widely grown for its seeds and as fodder

— called also broad bean, horse bean

— see favism

Examples of fava bean in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Cooked fava beans are mashed into a paste that is smooth but still chunky, sprinkled with fresh dill and boldly seasoned with a flavor that’s familiar but at first difficult to place: cinnamon! — Hannah Goldfield, The New Yorker, "Turkish Food with Attitude at Lokanta," 28 Sep. 2019 Its researchers are investigating whether other crops, such as yellow peas and fava beans, can make good meatless meat. — The Economist, "Plant-based meat could create a radically different food chain," 12 Oct. 2019 October-November: Remove tomatoes; plant cover crops such as fava beans, cow peas, field peas and phacelia. — Joan Morris, The Mercury News, "Bay Area gardening: Time to plant cool season crops," 5 Sep. 2019 About 2 minutes before the pasta is done, add the fava beans to the water. — Jessica Battilana, SFChronicle.com, "Repertoire: Fettuccine Alfredo With Favas is an easy summer dinner," 28 June 2019 This is true of leeks, garlic, onions, lettuce, arugula, beets, carrots, chicory, endive, turnips, globe artichokes, sweet fennel, chard and fava beans. — Pam Peirce, SFChronicle.com, "Plant now: A Mediterranean garden for the fall," 6 Sep. 2019 November-December: Remove spent broccoli and cauliflower; plant fava beansLate February-March: Harvest cover crops, compost in place; plant onions and another round of broccoli, cauliflower, kale, chard, carrots, beets, lettuce and arugula. — Joan Morris, The Mercury News, "Bay Area gardening: Time to plant cool season crops," 5 Sep. 2019 Signs of spring surround veal sweetbreads sautéed to a precise snap: fava beans, pea tendrils and rhubarb compote flavored with only enough port to tease out the sweet-bitter elements. — Bill Addison, latimes.com, "Is Spago relevant? Our critic talks through three (very different) recent meals," 27 June 2019 Frugal islanders keep gardens of wild spinach and fava beans, and catch rabbits. — Antonia Quirke, Condé Nast Traveler, "These Islands Near Sicily Might Be the Last Uncrowded Part of Italy," 22 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'fava bean.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

6 Dec 2019

Cite this Entry

“Fava bean.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fava%20bean. Accessed 8 December 2019.

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