Ingredients

• 4 pounds fresh, young unshelled fava beans
• 1 pound young, fresh sheep's milk cheese, such as pecorino dolce, pecorino, or fresh ricotta
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Fresh lemon wedges
• Fresh ground pepper and coarse sea salt
• Italian bread with a good crust, such as ciabatta

Instructions

1. Shell the favas and discard pods. Drop beans into boiling salted water and cook for 1 to 2 minutes. Drain and immediately plunge into ice water. Drain again and remove tough outer skin from each bean. Place beans in a bowl.
2. Serve with slices of good fresh cheese, a drizzle of olive oil, 1 to 2 drops of lemon juice, freshly ground pepper and a few grains of salt along with a slice of good crusty peasant bread.