A Story of Land, People, and Tradition
Some dishes go beyond cooking: they tell stories of land, people, and culture. In Puglia, one of the most iconic recipes is fave e cicoria—the perfect union between the creamy sweetness of fava beans and the bold bitterness of wild chicory.
This dish becomes truly exceptional when finished with a drizzle of cold pressed Tre Regine Coratina extra virgin olive oil: intensely fruity, herbaceous in flavor, and rich in polyphenols.
Ingredients (Serves 4)
- 300 g peeled dried fava beans
- 800 g wild chicory (or catalogna variety)
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt, to taste
- Tre Regine Ogliarola or Coratina monocultivar EVOO, to taste
Preparation
Cook the Fava Beans
Rinse the dried fava beans and place them in a pot with cold water, bay leaf, and a pinch of salt.
Simmer gently over low heat for about 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
For a silky cream, purée with an immersion blender.
Boil the Chicory
Clean the chicory by removing the tougher parts, wash well, and boil in salted water for 5–7 minutes.
Drain well and squeeze gently to remove excess water.
Plate the Dish
Spread the fava bean purée on the plate, top with chicory, and finish with a generous drizzle of freshly pressed Puglian EVOO, cold extracted within 12 hours of harvest.
Serve
Accompany with toasted durum wheat bread from Puglia—perfect for soaking up the flavors.
Tre Regine Coratina Olive Oil, A Premium Choice
The Coratina cultivar is the queen of Puglian olive oil. With its intense fruitiness and aromas of artichoke and almond, it perfectly balances the creaminess of fava beans and the bitterness of chicory.
Thanks to its low acidity (0.3%) and richness in antioxidants, vitamin E, and monounsaturated fats, it is not just delicious but also a precious ally for health and the Mediterranean diet.
A Healthy, Timeless Puglian Dish
Fava beans and chicory is a vegan recipe, rich in fiber and plant-based proteins, and a true symbol of traditional Puglian cuisine.
Serving it with Tre Regine’s extra virgin olive oil presented in its signature ceramic jar means bringing together flavor, well-being, and centuries of tradition in every bite.