Tender & Sweet: Broccolini (2024)

FAQs

Is sweet broccoli and broccolini the same thing? ›

Broccolini is a cross between broccoli and Chinese broccoli, and also belongs to the cabbage family. Broccolini have long, firm stalks (thinner and more tender than those of broccoli), a few small leaves and small florets.

Broccolini, the cousin of broccoli, is the perfect vegetable. Not only is it a milder flavor than traditional broccoli, but it provides more health benefits, too! This hearty green veggie has all these wonderful vitamins and minerals that promote oral and overall health: Vitamins C, B1, B2, B5, B6, E, K, PP.

The best way to experience the health benefits of broccolini is to eat it raw. The stems, leaves, and florets are all edible. You can also choose to steam your broccolini and serve it as a side to complete a tasty, nutritious meal.

Like broccoli, this veggie is full of vitamins, minerals, and cancer-fighting nutrients! You can eat all of the broccolini plant – all the way from the bottom of the long stem to the cluster of flowers at the very top!

Broccolini is a cross between broccoli and Chinese broccoli (also called gai lan or Chinese kale). It looks a lot like Chinese broccoli—the stalks are long and lean—but instead of big leaves, it has florets more like common broccoli.

Broccolini will also have longer stems and smaller heads in comparison to broccoli. Broccolini is still a fairly new cruciferous vegetable, as it was invented in 1993 in Japan. Because of its newness and because it provides less quantity in a stalk, broccolini is typically more expensive than broccoli.

As broccoli is rich in Potassium that causes lowering of blood pressure, an excess consumption can result in hypotension. An excess broccoli consumption can also increase the risk of hemorrhagic stroke. Patient on blood thinners can have increased risk of bleeding due to the presence of Vitamin K in broccoli.

Rich in folate

Just half a cup of cooked Broccolini^® provides nearly half of your recommended daily amout of folate. Here are some benefits of consuming folate rich Broccolini^® daily. Folate energises the mind and body by supporting psychological function and reducing fatigue*.

Broccolini is full of sulfur-containing compounds like sulforaphane, which is largely responsible for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. This veggie may also support heart health and blood sugar control.

Appearance: Fresh broccoli should be uniformly bright green. If there are yellow or brown spots, it's a sign that it's past its prime. If you see any mold, such as white or black fuzzy patches, it's definitely spoiled. Smell: If the broccoli has a strong odor or an off smell, throw it out.

Is broccolini good for weight loss? ›

A serving has just 35 calories and, even better, broccolini is a non-starchy vegetable, so you can eat as much as you want while staying on track to your weight loss goal.

Broccolini, Aspabroc, baby broccoli or tenderstem broccoli, is a green vegetable similar to broccoli but with smaller florets and longer, thin stalks. It is a hybrid of broccoli and gai lan (which is sometimes referred to as "Chinese kale" or "Chinese broccoli"), both cultivar groups of Brassica oleracea.

If broccolini has gone bad, the color will start to change from bright green to a dull yellow or brown. The stalks might become limp and the florets may show sign of mold growth. Also, if you notice a strong, off-putting smell, don't hesitate to discard the broccolini as it is likely spoiled.

Plants that grow very tall and bushy or spread, such as large vines, are not recommended as neighbors for broccoli. These include: Tomatoes. Eggplant.

What pests does Broccolini get? Pests that can affect Broccolini plants include: Aphids, Slug, Snail, Cabbage Moth, Cabbage White Butterfly, Diamondback Moth, Flea Beetle, Cabbage Worm, Thrips, Root Knot Nematode, Cabbage Looper, 28 Spotted Ladybug.

It's a hybrid between broccoli and a Chinese kale. This cross lends to a sweeter taste and softer texture that screams easy eats.

"Specialty" broccoli varieties include Sprouting Broccoli, Broccolini, and the wonderfully fractal 'Romanesco' broccoli, an Italian heirloom that looks like a broccoli-cauliflower cross. Sprouting broccoli are primitive broccoli plants that were the forerunners of today's heading broccoli.

If you're focused on florets, broccoli and Broccolini can easily be used interchangeably. If you're cooking with the broccoli stalk, Chinese broccoli also has a thick stem and makes a good substitute. And if the leafy greens are what you're after, broccoli rabe and Chinese broccoli can be used for one another.