Dried Fava Bean and Fresh Fennel Soup

Ingredients

• 6 servings pepper black freshly ground to taste
• 1 package precooked polenta tube prepared (or rice or other grain)
• 0.3 teaspoon pepper red crushed
• 1 pound avarakkai / broad beans (or other beans)
• 2  fennel bulb 
• 1 teaspoon fennel seeds 
• 6 servings salt to taste
• 3 quarts water divided

Equipment

• frying pan
• pot
• grill

Directions

1. Drain. (If you’re using unpeeled fava beans, peel them now.)
2. Put the fava beans into a large pot with 2 quarts of water, the fennel seeds, and salt to taste (about 1 teaspoon). Bring to a boil; reduce heat to very low and simmer, uncovered, until beans start to break down, about 1 to 2 hours. As they cook, mash them against the bottom and sides of the pot to form a coarse puree. Keep cooking until beans are thick and porridge-like: While the beans are cooking, prepare the fennel by removing the tops from the bulbs and chopping the feathery fronds. Measure out 2 tablespoons and set aside.
3. Remove the thick outer layers from the bulbs and quarter.
4. Cut out the tough core that begins in the middle of the bulb and extends to the bottom: Slice the bulbs thinly and set aside. Once the beans have broken down and become thick, add the fennel slices, 1 1/2 tablespoons of the chopped fronds, the red pepper flakes, and 3 cups of the remaining water. Cook uncovered until the fennel is tender, about 30 minutes, adding more water if it gets too thick.
5. Add salt to taste.
6. Serve over cubes of grilled polenta, chunky pasta, rice or other whole grain, sprinkled with freshly ground black pepper and the remaining 1/2 tablespoon of chopped fennel. Note: To grill polenta, cut into slices and cook in a lightly-oiled, non-stick skillet until golden on both sides.
7. Cut into cubes to serve.