Broccoli

What is it?

Broccoli is a vegetable that is a member of the cabbage family that is typically a dark green color, but some variants can be white or purple. The word broccoli comes from the Italian word broccoli which translates to “the flowering top of a cabbage”. It is a fast growing plant that, when mature, has a firm stalk and compact bud clusters. Broccoli is a very nutrient-rich vegetable that has many health benefits, such as reducing inflammation, improving blood sugar control, and promotes heart health.

What does it taste like?

Raw broccoli is very crunchy and has an earthy, slightly sweet, slightly bitter, flavor. When cooked (steamed, roasted, etc.) broccoli will have a sweeter taste. The longer broccoli is cooked, the more tender it will become. While it is very crunchy/crisp when raw, broccoli will have almost no bite to it when steamed or roasted for long periods of time.

What to do with it?

Because broccoli can be eaten both raw and cooked, there are many ways it can be prepared. It can be steamed, roasted, or sauteed for a simple side dish to any meal. If you’re looking for a quick snack, quickly blanch broccoli in boiling water to help bring out more sweetness and dip the florets in ranch, hummus, or green goddess sauce. Or throw blanched broccoli in a lettuce based or pasta salad to add a nice, crispy texture.

How to store it?

Broccoli needs air circulation to stay fresh, so never store it in a tightly sealed bag. Keep it in the crisper drawer in the fridge, in an open/loosely wrapped plastic bag or reusable container that has holes or slits in the top to keep broccoli crisp for 3-5 days.