Fava Santorinis (Santorini Yellow Split Pea Purée)
Local name: Φάβα Σαντορίνης
In short: A silky purée of yellow split peas cooked with onion and olive oil, topped with capers and red onion, in the style of Santorini. It takes about 1 h 5 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 55 min
- Resting
- 30 min
- Total
- 1 h 5 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 320 kcal
In Greece, fava does not mean broad beans. It is a smooth purée of yellow split peas, a specialty of Santorini, cooked with onion until the peas collapse and finished with plenty of olive oil. It is served warm or at room temperature as a meze, topped with chopped red onion, capers and lemon, and goes well with grilled fish. It firms as it cools, like a thick dip.
Instructions
- Put the split peas, onion, bay leaf and water in a pot. Bring to a boil and skim off the foam.
- Simmer gently, partly covered, for 40 to 50 minutes, stirring now and then, until the peas collapse into a thick purée. Add a little hot water if it begins to stick.
- Remove the bay leaf. Add the olive oil and salt and blend with a stick blender, or mash vigorously, until silky.
- Stir in the lemon juice and taste. Pour into a shallow dish and let it rest for 30 minutes, when it thickens.
- Serve warm or at room temperature, topped with the red onion, capers, parsley, a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and a pinch of oregano, with lemon wedges.
Tips
- Stir often toward the end of cooking, since the purée sticks and scorches easily. If it gets too thick, loosen it with hot water.
- Any yellow split peas work. Fava firms up as it cools, so warm it gently with a splash of hot water if it sets too hard.
Questions and answers
Is fava made from fava beans?
No. In Greek, fava means yellow split peas, not broad beans. The dish is a purée of split peas.
How is fava served?
As a meze with chopped raw red onion, capers, lemon and olive oil, with bread. It is also a side for grilled fish or octopus.
Can I make fava ahead?
Yes. It keeps 5 days in the fridge and firms as it cools. Reheat with a splash of hot water and a drizzle of oil.
How long does it take to make Fava Santorinis (Santorini Yellow Split Pea Purée)?
About 1 h 5 min in total: 10 min of preparation and 55 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Fava Santorinis (Santorini Yellow Split Pea Purée)?
About 320 kcal per serving, with 10 g of protein, 29 g of carbohydrates and 18 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 320 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 10 g |
| Carbohydrates | 29 g |
| Fat | 18 g |
| Fiber | 9 g |
| Sugar | 3 g |
| Sodium | 400 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
