Lupini beans

These are lupini beans and they are my favorite snack ever. My grandparents were originally from Italy so growing up we ate some unusual foods like lupini beans and dandelion greens. I was never very crazy about the dandelions as they are so bitter, but I love the salty lupini beans.

I am not sure why, but my grandparents called these fava beans and it wasn't until years later that I found out what real fava beans are. Sadly, lupini beans are hard to find but most Italian import stores and delis have them. It is necessary to soak the beans in clean water otherwise the brininess is too overwhelming. Lupinis have an outer shell that is best removed before eating them. All you have to do is squeeze a bean and they will shoot rocket-like into your mouth. If you like edamame I think you will like lupini.