Fab Fava Bean Salad

This fresh Fava Bean Salad is perfect for summer.  The texture and flavor combinations are stellar!

Ingredients

*  1.5 pounds fava beans, shelled
*  5 TSP chopped walnuts
*  2.5 TSP walnut oil (or olive oil)
*  Freshly ground black pepper
*  7 large radishes, trimmed
*  2 tsp chopped fresh sage
*  1 TSP chopped fresh chives
*  1/4 pound thinly sliced prosciutto
*  2 TSP EVOO
*  1 lemon, quartered
*  1 small piece Pecorino Romano

Directions

1.  Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat.  Cook the fava beans in the water until they are tender and can be easily peeled, about five minutes.  Drain the beans, rinse them under cold water, then slip off the tough outer skins.  Place them in a bowl.

2.  Combine the walnuts and walnut oil in a food processor and pulse until you have a course paste.  Season the walnut paste with salt and pepper.

3.  Thinly slice the radishes.  Add the radishes, sage, chives, walnut paste, salt and pepper to the fava beans and mix well. 

4.  Divide the prosciutto among four plates, top with fava bean salad, and drizzle with olive oil.  Squeeze a little lemon juice over each salad, top each salad with thinly-shaved Pecorino Romano, and serve.

Recipe by Tom Colicchio.