Broad beans are an ancient favourite with evidence of cultivation from as early as 6,000 BC. Easy to grow, high in protein and rich in vitamin C they're still a must for today's vegetable plot.

We're venturing into bleak midwinter territory, but you can still learn how to grow broad beans – in fact, now is the best time to tackle this hardy vegetable if you want a tasty crop come summer.

) is the Swiss army knife of vegetables. Being the hardiest of beans, they are sturdy, reliable and versatile. Fava beans, aka broad beans, grow on hardy annual bushes ranging in height from 20 inches ...

Australian Gourmet Traveller dip recipe for crushed broad beans with garlic and lemon crostini. When broad beans are out of season this dip works well made with peas. A combination of the two is great ...