Fava Beans & Cashew Cream Pasta +12M

I’m always looking for pasta sauces loaded with nutrients like this fava beans and cashew one as my kids will say “yes” to pasta anytime, anyway 😉

Fava beans (aka broad beans) are finally back in season: their bright green and tender texture definitely recalls Spring! Those large flat beans are a concentrate of good nutrients (thiamin, vitamin K, vitamin B-6, potassium, copper, selenium, zinc and magnesium) and a lovely source of lean protein and iron. They have a delicate sweet background flavor and for this reason easily liked by kids.

I paired the fava beans with cashews, a buttery sweet nut, packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. The combo results in a complete and healthy meal for your kids: protein, good fats, vitamins, all in one bite!

I would suggest this recipe for toddlers, starting from 12 months of age, using a small shape of pasta, toddler bite size.

That being said, the recipe will be easily appreciated by the whole family!!

You can start soaking the cashews in cool water overnight. They will absorb some of the water, get soft and become pale brown. Drain the cashews and set them apart.

Shelling fava beans is a two-step process. First, you take the beans out of their pod. That’s the fun part where you can involve your kids 🙂

Second, remove the skin layer from the beans simply pinching the skin with your nail. It will come out easily.

Blanch the beans in boiling water for 2/3 min. Drain and set apart.

In a food processor add the soft cashews, lemon zest, a squeeze of lemon juice, fresh garlic, half of the fava beans, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, water and grated parmesan cheese. You can also add a pinch of salt for older kids or adults. Blend one minute to obtain a smooth cream.

It’s time to cook the pasta. Add one tablespoon of sea salt to a pot filled with boiling water. Add the pasta and cook following the cooking time on the package. Before draining the pasta, reserve one cup of the boiling water.

In a large bowl combine the pasta with the remaining fava beans, few generous tablespoons of the cashew pesto, a nice handful of parmesan (or Pecorino) cheese and few leaves of fresh mint. Use the boiling pasta water to thin your sauce. Serve warm!

You can store the fava beans and cashew cream leftovers in an air tight container in the refrigerator for 2 days or freeze it for up to 3 months.

Enjoy!!

Fava Beans and Cashew Sauce Pasta
Ingredients
PASTA
  • 1 lb orecchiette pasta or any other short shaped pasta 4 adult portions
  • 3/4 cup cooked fava beans
  • 1/2 cup cashew cream pesto (see below)
  • 1 tsp minced fresh mint (3 leaves)
  • 3 Tbsp grated parmesan cheese
CASHEW CREAM
  • 1/2 cup cashews, soaked in water overnight and drained
  • 1/2 lemon zest
  • 1 Tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 Tbsp grated parmesan cheese
  • 1 garlic clove, small
  • 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 3/4 cup cooked fava beans
Instructions
CASHEW CREAM
  1. Soak the cashews in cool water overnight. The next day they will turn soft and pale brown.

  2. Shell the fava beans. First, take the beans out of their pod. Second, pinch the skin with your nail and remove the inner skin layer.

  3. Blanch the beans in boiling water for 2/3 min. Drain and set apart.

  4. In a food processor add the cashews + lemon zest + lemon juice + garlic + half of the cooked fava beans + olive oil + water + parmesan and blend up until smooth.

PASTA
  1. Cook the orecchiette pasta in salted boiling water following the cooking time on the packaging. Drain.

  2. In a large bowl combine the pasta + the remaining half of the cooked fava beans + 1/2 cup cashew pesto + mint leaves minced + parmesan or pecorino grated on top. Reserve some boiling water from the pasta to thin the pasta if needed. 

3 Comments

Did you make this recipe? Share the love, tag @buonapappa on Instagram and hashtag it #buonapappa I would love to see your creations!

  • Reply
    Fava Beans & Cashew Cream Pasta +12M – MySpecialFood.com
    May 10, 2018 at 5:18 pm

    […] I’m always looking for pasta sauces loaded with nutrients like this fava beans and cashew one as my kids will say “yes” to pasta anytime, anyway Fava beans (aka broad beans) are finally back in season: their bright green and tender texture definitely recalls Spring! Those large flat beans are a concentrate of good nutrients (thiamin, vitamin K, vitamin B-6, potassium, copper, selenium, zinc and magnesium) and a lovely […] Source: Fava Beans & Cashew Cream Pasta +12M […]

  • Reply
    Fava Beans and Cashew Cream Pasta, +12 Months recipe - Online Cooking recipes Corner
    October 29, 2018 at 1:51 am

    […] Fava Beans & Cashew Cream Pasta +12M […]

  • Reply
    Quick & Easy Summer pasta with zucchini, fresh tomatoes and olives. - Food
    June 3, 2022 at 4:02 am

    […] Fava Beans & Cashew Cream Pasta +12M […]

  • Leave a Reply

    Recipe Rating