I started making this spread two spring seasons ago when nearly every stand at every bay area farmer's market was overflowing with these strange (to me) large green bean pods. I don't know if I had ever eaten a fava bean before then and if I had, I didn't know it. I often am in the habit of buying an ingredient (usually at a farmer's market) and then figuring out what to do with it. there is something really fun about this process - like Jeopardy, when you know the answer and have to ask the question. my brain loves things like this. Sadly, I don't remember the origin of this recipe, but I have modified and adapted it many times since then. I give thanks to the food blog universe for getting this into my brain so I can make it from there without any help.
