For Donatella, fava beans were an acquired taste. "When I was a child, I hated them," she says. Shes come around to the hearty, healthy bean and has always been a fan of dandelion greens, an ingredient that many Italians believe calms the stomach. Timing note: The favas need to soak overnight.
Test-kitchen tip:
Keep a pot of boiling water on the stove so you can add boiling water to the beans as needed.