Fava Bean Cream with Escarole and Croutons
- Energy Kcal 476
- Carbohydrates g 58
- of which sugars g 6.8
- Protein g 35.1
- Fats g 11.6
- of which saturated fat g 2.43
- Fiber g 29.1
- Cholesterol mg 10
- Sodium mg 1568
- Difficulty: Very easy
- Prep time: 30 min
- Cook time: 20 min
- Serving: 4
- Cost: Low
PRESENTATION
Crema di fave con scarola e crostoni is a beloved dish from Campania that captures the heart of Italian spring cuisine. Honestly, this fava bean soup combines the sweet taste of fresh fava beans with the slightly bitter, robust flavor of escarole—locally called scarola. Pretty much, it’s the kind of fava bean and escarole soup you'd enjoy in a Neapolitan home, especially during spring when fava beans are really, really at their best. And the crostoni? They’re slices of golden toasted bread, drizzled with top-quality olive oil. Which is great. To enhance the flavors, locals often add crispy pancetta on top, giving you a salty, savory crunch with each bite. Makes the Italian fava bean soup super special.
Springtime in southern Italy is all about fresh veggies and simple methods that highlight ingredients. The pairing of scarola and fava beans—way, way better than you'd expect—is traditional here, balancing the tender texture of fava beans with the bold, earthy flavor of escarole. This fava bean soup recipe is not just tasty. It’s the kind of meal you crave when you want something light yet satisfying. And listen, the olive oil enhances the veggies, while the crostoni soak up all the tangy flavors of the cream. Some folks even call this a Mediterranean diet soup because it's packed with nutritious ingredients and fits perfectly with rustic Italian cuisine.
Whether you serve it as a hearty lunch or a comforting starter, this fava bean and escarole soup is perfect for any occasion when you’re craving that homey, comforting vibe. Really, only the real classics from Campania offer this. Plus, it's a great way to bring the bright flavors of Italy to your table, making every meal feel special and connected to the rich culinary traditions of the region. Can't go wrong with that.
INGREDIENTS
- Fava beans 8.8 lbs (4 kg) - with pod
- Escarole (endive) 1.1 lbs (500 g)
- Smoked pancetta 4 slices
- White onions 1
- Vegetable broth 2.1 cups (500 ml)
- Extra virgin olive oil 2 tbsp (30 ml)
- Fine salt to taste
- Mint to taste
- to accompany
- Homemade bread 4 slices
How to prepare Fava Bean Cream with Escarole and Croutons
To make the fava bean cream with escarole and croutons, start by cleaning the fresh fava beans: open the pods and shell them, then remove the outer skin of the seeds and collect them in a bowl 1; in total you should obtain about 1 lb of cleaned fava beans. Rinse the escarole under cold running water 2 and cut it into strips 3.
Peel the onion and slice it finely 4. Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large pan, then add the sliced onion 5 and let it soften over low heat for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent it from burning. Then add the shelled fava beans 6,
the escarole 7, salt 8, pepper, and flavor with the mint leaves 9
cook for a few minutes with the lid on 10 to soften the escarole. Pour in the Vegetable broth 11 and continue cooking with the lid on for 15 minutes or until the vegetables are soft. Once cooked 12
transfer the vegetables to a tall and narrow container 13 and blend them with the immersion blender 14 until you obtain a thick cream 15 that you will keep warm.
Meanwhile, slice the loaf 16, place the slices of bread on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, salt them, and drizzle with a little olive oil 17 then toast the slices of bread in a preheated grill oven for 3-4 minutes on both sides until they are golden 18.
Meanwhile, heat a pan and cook the slices of bacon on both sides 19 over high heat for a minute or until they are crispy 20, it's not necessary to add seasoning while cooking because the bacon will release its fat. Transfer the cream to a serving dish, garnish it with crispy bacon and accompany it with the toasted bread slices. Your tasty fava bean cream with escarole and croutons is ready, enjoy it right away 21!