Broad bean pesto (Marò)
- Gluten Free
- Lactose Free
- Vegetarian
- Energy Kcal 198
- Carbohydrates g 0.9
- of which sugars g 0.5
- Protein g 5.5
- Fats g 19.1
- of which saturated fat g 5.04
- Fiber g 1
- Cholesterol mg 19
- Sodium mg 792
- Difficulty: Easy
- Prep time: 20 min
- Serving: 4
- Cost: Low
PRESENTATION
Bright green color and smooth texture give broad bean pesto – called marò in Liguria – a friendly, fresh look that stands out on any family table. This crowd-pleasing Italian pesto brings together young fava beans, traditional ingredients, and a mild, nutty flavor that feels both nice and a bit different from the usual. Every spoonful offers a creamy, subtly sweet taste that’s easy for kids and adults to love, making it pretty much a must-try for anyone into bright spring meals or classic Italian flavors. Family celebrations in spring tend to feature this traditional Liguria-inspired sauce, and honestly, it fits right in whether you’re running a big dinner or just need something reliably good for weeknights. The light yet satisfying flavor makes it a hit at gatherings but honestly...even just spread on good bread, it’s DELICIOUS. Kids often like this since the broad bean pesto avoids that sharpness you sometimes get with other pestos—while the cheerful color always looks great next to roasts or veggie platters (especially for family brunch or even a relaxed Sunday dinner).
Busy families get a lot of value out of broad bean pesto thanks to its classic, mild flavor and real flexibility. Works equally well as a pasta sauce, a dip with veggies, or simply as a topping for sandwiches—nice, simple ways to shake up lunch or add flavor to any meal. It brings a taste of Liguria right into your home (that little bit of coastal freshness), and with the option to use frozen beans, you don’t have to wait for spring! Makes it easy to enjoy light, flavorful meals any day of the year. Home cooks also like how this works for so many different eaters—a creamy, mild pesto like this often pleases picky eaters as much as seasoned foodies. Want something quick but still a little special? Toss it with hot pasta, drizzle on grilled chicken, or serve it as a pretty centerpiece for a vegetarian party spread. Kids usually go for the mild, creamy texture, grown-ups notice the real taste of young fava beans, and everyone ends up with something they’ll happily eat again. Reliable, pretty, and loaded with Italian flavors—this is a sauce that families use a LOT because it just tastes great in so many ways.
- INGREDIENTS
- Fava beans 1 cup (150 g) - fresh
- Pecorino cheese 2.6 oz (75 g)
- Extra virgin olive oil 4 ¾ tbsp (70 ml)
- Garlic 1 clove
- Mint 4 leaves
How to prepare Broad bean pesto (Marò)
To prepare the broad bean pesto, start by cleaning them, then shell them and remove the tougher outer skin (1-2); make sure to remove the thin skin that covers them as well 3.
Place the broad beans in the mixer and add the whole peeled garlic clove 4, the grated cheese 5, and the mint leaves 6
and the oil in a stream 7. Turn on the mixer and blend everything intermittently, pausing at regular intervals after a few seconds (to avoid overheating the blades too much), until you get a creamy and homogeneous mixture 8; transfer the obtained broad bean pesto into a small bowl 9 and if you are not using it immediately, you can cover it with plastic wrap or extra virgin olive oil. Use it to dress delicious first courses!