OPENING BELL: Fava, Strawberry and Watercress are at the starting gate. They’re accompanied at the post by Balsamic, Pecorino and those dependably persistent also-rans, Salt and Pepper. But nobody is noticing those great flavors because all eyes and bets are on the three perennial babies of this springtime salad: Fava, Strawberry and Watercress. Olive Oil has scratched and Red Wine Vinegar is out to pasture. Their salad days are over.
And they’re off… Here on the outside comes Strawberry in a good position. But Watercress breaks out on top, while Fava is charging. The field is cluttered with ingredients at half a mile, but suddenly there’s a break in the mob and it’s Fava by a length, Strawberry and Watercress are neck and neck. They’re heading into the far side and the trio of veg are clearly dominating the field. Strawberry is bearing in for a late run rounding the Clubhouse turn, but Fava is biting the bit and proving he’s up for the challenge. In the home stretch Watercress pulls back and is holding in the third position. It’s Fava by a sprout in a blanket finish! Fava, Strawberry, Watercress Trifecta Salad.
Pays 18:1 and delivers a load of springtime flavor.
Fava, Strawberry, Watercress Trifecta Salad
I had to open with that (perhaps?) overly cute mock salad race because I realize that I’m proposing a rather unconventional combination. Fava, Strawberry and Watercress are not three flavors typically brought to you by my frenemy The Jolly Green Giant (in a frozen green cube). There’s nothing ho-ho-ho humdrum on this plate. This perfectly seasonal combination of sweet, sour, salty and rich isn’t a co-mingling that most folks would consider competitive, but I know that it’s a winning trifecta of flavor. GREG
Fava Strawberry Salad with Watercress
Print This Recipe Yield 6Source Inspired by California StrawberriesPublished
Ingredients
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoon mild white vinegar (such as Champagne)
- ½ cup grape seed oil (or other mild flavored oil)
- 2 cup shelled fava beans (about 4 pounds in the pods)
- 2 cup fresh strawberries (washed, dried, stemmed and quartered lengthwise)
- 1 small bunch fresh watercress (tough stems removed; washed and dried)
- pecorino cheese (to taste)
Directions
In a small bowl, whisk together both vinegars and the olive oil until emulsified. Season to taste with salt and pepper. This recipe makes just under 1‑cup, more than needed for this salad. Refrigerate the extra for another use.
Prepare an ice-water bath; set aside. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add fava beans, and cook 1 minute. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to ice-water bath to stop the cooking. Drain fava beans and then pinch off the skins (you should have about 2 cups). Discard skins.
Add the fava beans, strawberries and watercress to a large bowl. Drizzle in vinaigrette to taste; toss to mix. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt a pepper.
Transfer the salad to a serving plate or divided among individual plates. Using a vegetable peeler, shave a few shards of pecorino over the top; serve immediately.
I love favas beans — and thoroughly enjoyed the race!
I like your unconventional combination. Just saw frozen shelled favas at the big Latin market near me. If they weren’t covered in freezer-burn frost, I would’ve bought ’em. Must go back and stake out fresh (frozen) crop.
You are definitely rocking the salad boat with this combo! Just got favas at the market, and I am hoping for strawberries this weekend…
Fava by a sprout! Very original 🙂 I can never get Anthony Hopkins’ memorable line out of my mind when hear fava. Sounds delish — now if only the FM would shell your favas for you like they do at the wet markets in China (just learned this hot tip).
I’ve seen them shelled (for a pretty penny) at the Hollywood Farmers Market. GREG
I never liked these beans until recently. This is a perfect salad especially withl the addition of watercress giving it a bite. Farmers market here I come.
Another recipe to make me give favas another chance! Although I am the strawberry’s Mom at home telling it that really, it didn’t want to come in first anyway and I love it best all the same, and am gonna frame it’s second-place ribbon…:)_
greg you make vegetables look so appetizing. what gorgeous photos. I need to get a big girl camera!
Love all three, so I’m sure I’d love them together in your lovely Trifecta Salad. (PS I have so many frenemies in food!)
The Jolly Green Giant is my frenemy also! And the frenemy of my frenemy is my bestie. So you, and this salad, and I are besties. Obvi. 😛
I am so into favas right now! Love them to the max. And definitely need this salad in my spring.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading that mock salad race. And I agree — fava, strawberry and watercress do make a winning trifecta of flavor.