This Greek fava (yellow split pea dip) is light, lemony and zesty — an ideal spread for warm pita, crisp vegetables, or your favorite dippers.
On our first trip to Greece, we fell in love with the country’s mezze culture — especially the many small dips served with bread and vegetables. From creamy tzatziki to smoky eggplant spreads and spicy feta, each appetizer felt like a tiny celebration. One standout was the Santorini specialty known simply as fava.
Despite its name, Greek fava isn’t made from fava (broad) beans. In Greece, the word fáva (φάβα) refers to yellow split peas, a traditional ingredient on Santorini. The dip is made by simmering yellow split peas with onion, garlic and simple seasonings, then pureeing the cooked peas with good olive oil and fresh lemon juice. The result is a silky, bright spread that pairs beautifully with warm pita, toasted bread or raw vegetables. It’s naturally vegan and gluten-free and surprisingly easy to prepare.
