Fava beans have a long tradition in Mediterranean cuisine, dating back to 6000 B.C. In fact, Italians credit the high-protein legume for saving Sicilians during a famine. Their reputation even gave them a starring role in the fairy tale, Jack and the Beanstalk. Today, researchers are looking into using the beans to treat Parkinson’s disease.

Magical or not, you most certainly can benefit from the fiber, iron, antioxidants, and B vitamins found in this Old World favorite. Try these delicious preparations:

• Boil and mash the beans, then spread much as you would with hummus. Or purée the cooked favas and mix it into soups for a creamier texture.

• Sauté them with other veggies such as artichokes and peas, or with shrimp and thyme.

• To capitalize on their crunch, roast and eat them like peanuts, or toss them into a garden salad.

Preparation can be time-consuming — you have to shuck and blanch fava beans in order to remove the shell and skin. But for a bean that’s been around over 8,000 years, the effort is worth it. For a quick fix, look for fava beans in the can at specialty and health food stores.

Note: If you have a condition called G6PD deficiency, stay away from fava beans, as they can make you very ill.