Hollywood star Matt Damon, along with other A-list actors, is currently filming Christopher Nolan’s Odyssey in Messinia, Greece.
Recently, Damon and some of the crew had the opportunity to dine at a local restaurant in Gialova, where they enjoyed a variety of traditional Greek dishes. Among the numerous delights, one dish stood out to Damon so much that he inquired about its preparation.
That dish? The simple yet incredibly flavorful fava (yellow split pea puree). We can’t help but imagine Matt Damon returning to the U.S. and immediately recreating this dish—whether by his own hands or through his personal chef.
If Damon hasn’t tracked down the recipe yet, we’ve got you covered! Here’s how you can make this delicious Greek dish at home, so you too can taste what made it the Hollywood star’s favorite during his stay in Greece.
Ingredients (Serves: 6-8)
- 250g yellow split peas (fava)
- 1 medium onion
- 1 carrot
- 1.5 – 1.7 liters of hot water (about a 6:1 ratio of water to fava for an uncovered pot)
- 40ml extra virgin olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Method
Step 1
Chop the onion and grate the carrot. In a deep, non-stick pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat and sauté the onion and carrot for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the fava and sauté it with the onion and carrot for about 2 minutes. Pour in most of the hot water (about 1.2 – 1.4 liters), reserving a little in case it’s needed later.
Step 2
Let the fava simmer, stirring occasionally. After 20 minutes, check it more often to prevent it from sticking to the bottom as the water reduces. Add salt and pepper during this process.
Step 3
When the bubbles on the surface become smaller and start splattering—indicating that most of the water has evaporated—check if the fava has softened. This should happen around 35-40 minutes, but cooking time may vary. If the fava isn’t completely soft and the water is nearly gone, add hot water (100ml at a time) until the split peas fully break down.
Once the fava is thick and fully cooked, remove it from the heat and use an immersion blender to puree it until smooth and velvety. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
Now, you’re ready to savor the same dish Matt Damon loved while filming Odyssey—straight from the heart of Greece!
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