Ful bit-Tewm (Broad Beans with Garlic)

Name: Ful bit-Tewm (Broad Beans with Garlic)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 600 g fresh broad beans (fava beans) podded; 3 tbsp olive oil; 3 cloves garlic sliced; Juice of 1/2 lemon; Small handful fresh parsley chopped; Salt and black pepper to taste; pinch chilli flakes (optional)

A simple Maltese broad bean dish with garlic, olive oil, lemon, and parsley. Rustic, fresh, and full of spring flavour.

Jump to recipe

Prep15 minsCook15 minsServes4DifficultyMedium

Bright, satisfying and built for real life.

This recipe brings together the generous flavours of Maltese cooking in a format that works on a busy day. Read through the method before starting and adjust seasoning to your taste.

Ingredient notes & swaps

Look for fresh or frozen broad beans labelled fava beans. Use the podded weight, and check frozen beans earlier because their preparation may differ. Dried fava beans need soaking and much longer cooking; they are not a direct swap for the fresh beans here. Try Bigilla if dried beans are what you have.

The recipe

Ful bit-Tewm (Broad Beans with Garlic)

15 min prep15 min cook30 min total4 people

Scale:

Ingredients

600 g fresh broad beans (fava beans), podded
3 tbsp olive oil
3 cloves garlic, sliced
Juice of 1/2 lemon
Small handful fresh parsley, chopped
Salt and black pepper to taste
chilli flakes (optional) (optional)

Method

1
Cook the beans: Boil the broad beans in salted water for 5-8 minutes until tender. Drain well.
2
Soften the garlic: Heat the olive oil in a pan over low heat. Add the garlic and cook gently until fragrant but not browned.
3
Toss: Add the broad beans, lemon juice, parsley, salt, pepper, and chilli flakes if using. Toss for 2-3 minutes until glossy and warm.
4
Serve: Serve warm or at room temperature with extra olive oil if desired.

Ful bit-Tewm is a simple Maltese broad bean dish with garlic, olive oil, lemon, and parsley. It is especially good in spring when broad beans are fresh and sweet.

Ingredient Substitutions Outside Malta

Look for fresh or frozen broad beans labelled fava beans. Use the podded weight, and check frozen beans earlier because their preparation may differ. Dried fava beans need soaking and much longer cooking; they are not a direct swap for the fresh beans here. Try Bigilla if dried beans are what you have.