Baccelli und Pecorino

Baccelli e pecorino is a traditional appetizer originating from Tuscany. The dish consists of broad (fava) beans and pecorino cheese. Come springtime, every trattoria in Florence serves this appetizer as a basket full of intact broad beans in their pods, while pecorino cheese that's been sliced or cut into sticks is served on a wooden board. The pods are cracked open and the raw and bitter fava beans are eaten with a piece of salty cheese. It's believed that the bitterness of the beans opens up the appetite for meals that will follow. If desired, olive oil can be drizzled over the beans and cheese, and they can also be seasoned with salt and pepper.