Stem broccoli: From gourmet tables to everyday kitchens
I came across this vegetable at Robert Lewandowski's restaurant a few years ago. Then it started appearing in expensive delicatessens, and now you can increasingly buy it even in discount stores. And it is worth trying! Stem broccoli, known as asparagus or broccolini, is delicious, healthy, and easy to prepare.
1 August 2024 13:09
Stem broccoli is a delicious cross between classic broccoli and cabbage. It has a delicate taste and a green colour. It somewhat resembles asparagus in appearance and is just as easy to prepare. You don't need much to enjoy its flavour.
Originated in Japan
Broccolini, also known as asparagus or stem broccoli, was developed in Japan in the early 1990s. It is a cross between Chinese gai lan (Chinese kale) and classic broccoli. The long stems resemble green asparagus, and the green, delicate florets at their ends look like broccoli. Broccolini is also cultivated in Morocco, Spain, Kenya, and the United Kingdom, where it is known as broccolini.
Low in calories
What does broccolini taste like? It's a mix of broccoli and asparagus, but very delicate and original. Even if you don't like these vegetables, you might try them. Broccolini has its character. Additionally, its composition is rich in vitamins A and C, calcium, folic acid, iron, and zinc and has a lot of fibre. Like other cruciferous vegetables, asparagus broccoli contains glucosinolates with antioxidant properties. Broccolini is also low in calories (45 calories per 100 grams).
What to make with them?
Did you manage to snag some broccolini? You can boil it, bake it, or fry it. The possibilities are many. The important thing is always to cook it quickly. This delicate vegetable doesn't need lengthy processing. They are simultaneously crispy and juicy; you must prepare them without spoiling them. You can also eat them raw. Their nutty note is most noticeable this way, something that classic broccoli lacks. Importantly, they are recommended to be swallowed whole with the stems - they don’t need to be peeled or cut. This makes them very easy to use in many dishes with no waste.
A long list
Good recipes for broccolini can be found on the vegetable's website, which its native producer runs. However, at the beginning of your adventure with these broccoli, it's good to try them in the simplest way possible. You can briefly boil them for 3-4 minutes or sauté them on a grill pan. They'll make an excellent side for dinner. And when you like their taste - add them to casseroles, tarts, and salads; the list of possibilities is long.
