Lunch: Spring Vegetable Sauté

Recipe by /contributors/oliver-strand This take on a Roman vignole showcases the best and brightest of the season's bounty.

This recipe includes fertility superfoods such as:

Lemon, Asparagus

Health and fertility benefits of Spring Vegetable Sauté

Lemons can help to prevent oxidative damage to the body, which women with PCOS are often susceptible to. We don't have any research on Asparagus as a fertility food yet. Please leave your review below if you are able to provide details about asparagus.

Ingredients

Zest and juice from 1 lemon plus more juice for seasoning
2 pounds baby artichokes, 6 globe artichokes, or 1 pound frozen artichoke hearts, thawed
2 pounds fava beans, shelled (about 1 cup), or 1 cup frozen edamame (soybeans), thawed
Kosher salt
1 pound asparagus (about 1 large bunch), cut on a diagonal into 2" pieces
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil plus more for drizzling
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 medium red onion, finely chopped
Freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons thinly sliced fresh mint leaves

Instructions

Line a baking sheet with a kitchen towel. Fill a medium bowl with water; add lemon juice. If using baby artichokes, working one at a time, cut away tough outer leaves until only pale-yellow leaves remain. Cut 1/2" off tops; trim stems. Halve artichokes lengthwise, if desired, then remove choke with a spoon. Place in lemon water as you finish. If using globe artichokes, remove stems and all leaves. Scrape out chokes with a spoon; cut each artichoke heart into 4 quarters and add to lemon water.
Cook fava beans in a large pot of boiling salted water until just tender, about 2 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to a bowl of ice water; let cool. Peel and discard outer skins; transfer to prepared baking sheet (if using edamame, boil for only 1 minute; no peeling needed). Repeat cooking process with asparagus and artichokes, returning water to a boil between batches and cooling in ice water before transferring to prepared baking sheet, 3-4 minutes for asparagus and 5-6 minutes for artichokes (1-2 minutes if frozen).
Heat 2 tablespoons oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat; add onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes. Increase heat to medium-high. Add vegetables and cook, stirring occasionally, just until heated through, about 5 minutes. Season to taste with salt, pepper, and more lemon juice, if desired.
Transfer vegetables to a serving bowl. Drizzle with oil; garnish with mint and zest.

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