Sadness comes but once a year: Fava beans at the last harvest. They bow out gracefully, the plump favas, though we try to give them enough time to give us one more little pod.

Digging for gold: The little fava beans come individually nestled inside a stiff cocoon, and these are lined up 3, 4 or 5 in a row inside a fur sleeping bag. From the original pile of pods, to shedding its many layers, to being stir-fried with garlic, it’s definitely a what-you-get-is-not-what-you-eat situation.