What parts of the broccoli can you eat?
By creematee
@creematee (2810)
United States
June 4, 2007 1:23pm CST
AS I was out in the garden, harvesting my first crown of fresh broccoli, I stated thinking... "how much of this plant is edible?" I mean, I know the florets are, and some of the stalk, but are the leaves? The main stem? Not that I plan on harvesting the whole plant, but I was just curious. It seems like a lot of work for a plant to have a small crown and nothing else usable.
BTW... Fresh homegrown broccoli is by far, better than anything I've ever had at the grocery store. So sweet, tender, and even my kids ate it raw! I didn't have to cook a single floret! (whew!!!)
1 person likes this
7 responses
@acuityplague (763)
• United States
4 Jun 07
I believe the entire stem is edible, it just gets tougher the farther down the stem you go. I don't know about the leaves. Heck, I didn't even know broccoli plants had leaves! I assumed the broccoli plant just grew up as the stem and florets, how silly am I for thinking that? I wonder where I even got the idea.
I bet since your home grown broccoli is so tender, it would be fabulous stirfried with fresh garlic. Yum!
@creematee (2810)
• United States
4 Jun 07
You are right! The problem is, it doesn't last that long for me to cook it. LOL! The kids are famous for stealing veggies out of the fridge to nibble on. How lucky can a mom get?
@Modestah (11177)
• United States
5 Jun 07
oh you can also add the stems sliced or chopped up to your stir fries. oh good good stuff. you can shred or grate them and add them as a filler to your spaghetti sauce or inside your pancake batter. or for the wizzy one below, grate it up and mix it into a meatloaf or BURGER! add shreds to a batter and deep fry like oh what are those corn things called fritters? or cube them and make for tempura. nothing like sneaking healthiness into all meals.
1 person likes this
@creematee (2810)
• United States
5 Jun 07
Sounds good Modestah! I'll have to save those stems after the 2nd heads come in. :) A nice broccoli slaw sounds really yummy right now!
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
4 Jun 07
Well I don't eat vegetables. Not unless they come smuggled between burger breads and patties. And broccoli is one of the vegetables that I can't stand the most. The looks and the taste! :P
1 person likes this
@creematee (2810)
• United States
4 Jun 07
REally? no veggies at all? Not even a carrot? I couldn't imagine not eating them. That's OK, I'll keep th broccoli on my plate then. :)
@crazynurse (7482)
• United States
6 Jun 07
As far as I am concerend all parts are edible! I have eaten all parts and I seem to be okay! My favorite part is the stems! I peel the tough outer layer off, then I dice the inside part very finely. I love to put the diced stem into tuna salad for crunch! I also grate it and add it to meatloaf and many other things! Yum!!
1 person likes this
@creematee (2810)
• United States
6 Jun 07
tHANKS crazynurse! I'm so encouraged and excited about all these wonderful discoveries of broccoli! I can't wait until they mature just a bit more so I can take full advantage of my harvest! Even my hubby is excited to learn all these new things (and he doesn't like to try ANYTHING new!!!)
@Modestah (11177)
• United States
5 Jun 07
yes the stalk is very good to eat. slice it up thinly and add to soups and salads or serve with a dip. if it is too woody you can always use your veggie peeler to get that outter layer off.
mmm broccoli, good stuff! full of calcium and iron - how wonderful for your family.
1 person likes this
@creematee (2810)
• United States
5 Jun 07
Thank you! Sounds really yummy. I may have to save some of those stems, and freeze them for "souper" weather! LOL!
@coolseeds (3919)
• United States
5 Jun 07
You can use all of what you can stand to cut.
If you really wanted or had to use it the stalk can be grated so it isn't so tough and used where ever you are creative enough to use it. LOL.
I grate onions and peppers so that my girlfriend who "doesn't like them" will compliment the flavor of the meatloaf. Because she can't see it. ;)
1 person likes this
@creematee (2810)
• United States
5 Jun 07
LOL! I can just see her face when you actually tell her there is broccoli in her meatloaf! :) It sounds really good... would you mind sharing your recipe! A nice veggie filled meatloaf would make a yummy dinner!!!
@saierchok (1294)
• United States
18 Jun 07
I can eat all of the parts of broccoli as long as they are toasted or barbequed.. :)
@creematee (2810)
• United States
26 Jun 07
Never thought about barbequing it. How do you do that? Just toss it in a veggie cage on the grill? Sounds pretty interesting. :)
