Organic Broad beans

To get to the beans, split open the pod with your nail, as you would to pod peas. The smallest, youngest beans definitely need only the outer pod removing before cooking. You could ‘double-pod’ larger ones. After boiling, refresh in cold water, then pinch off the skins to reveal the bright green beans inside. It isn’t essential, but if you haven’t eaten broad beans like this before, they will be a revelation. If you’re wondering what to do with broad bean pods, you can compost them, or if they’re tender, boil and purée them.

For 250g podded broad beans, you will need around 750g whole beans. Mixed with other ingredients, such as in a pasta or rice dish, 200-300g podded beans should be enough for two to four people.

When very young and fingernail-sized, they can be good raw in salads, perhaps with a shaving of Parmesan. From then on it’s best to cook them, tossing into pasta dishes and risottos, or serving as a simple side.