Broccoli

Estimated Inventory, 22 lbs : 57.88
This item was last sold on : 12/20/24

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Description/Taste

Broccoli consists of flowering heads that are harvested when the buds are unopened, small, and still green. The heads average 10 to 20 centimeters in diameter and grow on thick, fibrous stalks, emerging from a covering of large, leathery, dark green leaves. Broccoli heads are generally green, sometimes flushed with dark purple depending on the variety, and contain tiny, unopened buds attached to branching stems. The branching, segmented stems with the flower buds are known as florets, which connect into a larger, central, thick, and fibrous, pale green stem. The unopened buds have a crisp and tender consistency when raw, and if left to mature, the buds would produce bright yellow, four-petaled flowers. The thick, raw stems also have a crisp, crunchy, slightly chewy texture, and the leaves are edible but often contain a bitter, fibrous nature. When cooked, Broccoli develops a soft, semi-crunchy consistency and has vegetal, herbaceous, and earthy flavors with grassy, bittersweet nuances.

Seasons/Availability

Broccoli is available year-round, with a peak season in the late fall through early spring.

Current Facts

Broccoli, botanically classified as Brassica oleracea var. Italica, is an ancient, cool-season annual belonging to the Brassicaceae or cabbage family. The large, compact heads grow on upright, fibrous stalks that can reach up to 90 centimeters in height and are highly favored for their edible florets, stem, and leaves. The name Broccoli is derived from the Italian word broccolo, which roughly translates to mean “the flowering crest of a cabbage.” Broccoli was developed from many years of natural crossbreeding and was selected as a commercial crop for its high nutritional content and filling nature. There are multiple types of Broccoli, including heading and sprouting varieties, but the most common Broccoli seen in commercial markets is known as Calabrese Broccoli. This Broccoli is generally labeled as Broccoli in most markets and contains the characteristic dense, rounded green heads comprised of many smaller, branching florets. In the modern-day, Broccoli is grown worldwide, but the heads cannot be machine gathered and must be hand-harvested using knives to remove from the plant's base, making it a labor-intensive crop.

Nutritional Value

Broccoli is an excellent source of vitamin C to strengthen the immune system, boost collagen production, and reduce inflammation. The vegetable is also a rich source of vitamin K to assist in faster wound healing and contains antioxidants that can help eliminate free radicals, fiber to stimulate the digestive tract, and lower amounts of vitamin A, potassium, folate, and phosphorus.

Applications

Broccoli is a versatile ingredient well-suited for both raw and cooked applications, including steaming, boiling, roasting, baking, frying, and sautéing. The heads, stems, and leaves are all edible and will contain varying textures and flavors. The heads and stems are the most common portion of the plant consumed and can be chopped and tossed fresh into salads, mixed with other ingredients into slaws, or served on appetizer plates with creamy sauces and dips. Broccoli can also be battered and fried into tempura, lightly cooked and mixed into grain bowls, tossed into pasta, stir-fried with other vegetables, steamed and served as a tender side dish, or blanched and combined into rice and noodle dishes. In addition to using the heads in larger pieces, cooked Broccoli florets can be pureed into soups, stirred into risotto, or baked into quiches. The thick stems can also be used in any preparation calling for Broccoli. Some chefs choose to peel the stems to develop a more tender consistency when cooked. Broccoli leaves are also edible but may contain a bitter flavor. The leaves can be prepared similarly to kale or Swiss chard. Broccoli pairs well with zucchini, cauliflower, bell pepper, mushrooms, roasted meats, including poultry, turkey, beef, and fish, other seafood, sauces such as oyster, soy, creamy dressing, and vinaigrettes, and cheeses such as parmesan, cheddar, feta, and goat. Unwashed, raw Broccoli will keep 4 to 7 days when stored in the refrigerator, and once cooked, it will keep up to 5 days. It can also be frozen for 6 to 8 months.

Ethnic/Cultural Info

Broccoli was a prevalent vegetable served during cena, an Ancient Roman dinner reserved for the wealthy upper class. Most Roman households made lunch their largest meal of the day and could not afford a lavish dinner, but cena was a multi-course meal served after daily tasks were finished among the upper class. Cena was the most common meal to invite guests and was used to showcase status through exotic recipes and ingredients. Within the meal, there was traditionally an appetizer, main course, and dessert, and the main course was also sometimes broken up into three courses depending on the wealth of the hosting family. Broccoli was served during the main course and was presented cooked, generally coated in spices and rich sauces. Marcus Gavius Apicius, a wealthy epicure, is primarily credited with recording some of the first Broccoli recipes in the cookbook De Re Coquinaria. Many experts believe that Apicius’s servants and chefs were the main authors of the recipes, but Apicius was the face and host of the extravagant dinner parties featuring these recipes, often paid by the Roman government to entertain foreign dignitaries. De Re Coquinaria contains approximately 500 recipes, and within the recipes, Broccoli was boiled, bruised, coated in coriander and cumin seeds, and tossed with a mixture of oil, wine, and onions. It was also sometimes served with creamy sauces or lightly coated in herbs. Early editions of the cookbook dating back to the 9th century can still be found at the New York Academy of Medicine and the Vatican.

Geography/History

Broccoli was developed from an ancient, wild cabbage relative native to the Mediterranean region and Asia Minor. Thousands of years ago, the wild cabbage relative was selectively bred for many generations to exhibit improved traits for human consumption, including flavor, size, and texture. Experts believe the Etruscans, a civilization known for their horticulture, first brought domesticated versions of Broccoli from Turkey to Southern Italy sometime before the 1st century. Broccoli continued to be cultivated in Italy, developing Calabria Broccoli, the compact heads we are familiar with today, and the plants were introduced to France in the 16th century. Broccoli was also brought to England in the 18th century, where it was initially known as Italian Asparagus. Thomas Jefferson had Broccoli planted in his Monticello garden in the United States sometime in the 18th century, but the vegetable did not become widespread in the New World until the arrival of Italian immigrants in the 19th century. Later in the 1920s, Italian immigrants known as the D’Arrigo brothers planted the first commercial fields of Broccoli in San Jose, California. The crops were shipped to Boston, and quickly after its commercial release, Broccoli rapidly increased in demand, establishing the vegetable as a commercial crop. Today California remains the largest producer of Broccoli in the United States, and the crop is sold domestically and exported to countries such as Japan, Taiwan, and Canada. Broccoli is also highly cultivated in India and China for commercial exports and is grown worldwide in home gardens.

Featured Restaurants

Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.

Harumama Noodles & Buns (Vista)	Vista CA	858-886-9909
Jujus Kitchen	Bonita CA	619-471-5342
Love Boat Sushi-Oceanside	Oceanside CA	760-721-3737
Sovereign Thai Cuisine	San Diego CA	619-887-2000
Stake Chophouse & Bar	Coronado CA	619-522-0077
Special Order	San Diego CA	619-876-4070
Solana Beach Kitchen	Solana Beach CA	610-717-7217
Bencotto Italian Kitchen	San Diego CA	619-822-5493
Thai One On	Carlsbad CA	760-500-8674
The Crack Shack-San Diego	San Diego CA	619-795-3299
Southwestern Yacht Club	San Diego CA	619-222-0438
C 2 C	San Diego CA	619-972-9345
Catania La Jolla	La Jolla CA	858-551-5105
Harney Sushi	San Diego CA	619-295-3272
Justin Hoehn	San Diego CA	619 326 8895
Parkhouse Eatery	San Diego CA	619 295 7275
Vista Valley	Vista CA	760-758-2800
Herb & Sea	Encinitas CA	858-587-6601
The Haven (Pizzeria)	San Diego CA	619-964-3778
Manhattan of La Jolla	La Jolla CA	858-459-0700

the other 103...

Little Lion	San Diego CA	619-519-4079
Carte Hotel	San Diego CA	619-365-1858
Harumama (Little Italy)	San Diego CA	619-269-7122
Harney Poway Sushi	Poway CA	760-533-0051
Belmont Park Draft	San Diego CA	858-228-9283
Hotel Republic San Diego	San Diego CA	951-756-9357
Sisters Pizza	San Diego CA	858-228-6822
Crust Pizzeria Carlsbad 2019	Carlsbad CA	760-944-1111
Rabbit Hole	San Diego CA	619-255-4653
Hane	San Diego CA	619-339-6438
Hilton Garden Inn - Homewood Suites San Diego	San Diego CA	619-696-6300
Rancho Valencia	Del Mar CA	858-756-1123
All Aspects Catering and Events	San Diego CA	855-287-7658
The Market by Buon Appetito	San Diego CA	619-237-1335
Reata Glen	Ladera Ranch CA	949-545-2250
Harumama Sushi & Ramen (Ocean Beach)	San Diego CA	858-886-9909
Juniper & Ivy	San Diego CA	858-481-3666
Tom Hams Light House	San Diego CA	619-291-9110
Monarch School (Nutrition Lab)	San Diego CA	619-804-1766
Marriott Del Mar	San Diego CA	858-369-6029
Bali Hai Restaurant	San Diego CA	619-222-1181
St. Paul's Senior Services	San Diego CA	619-239-6900
Prey Brewing Company	Vista CA	760-822-4226
Food by Chef Ty	Vista CA	424-278-8626
UCSD Food & Nutrition Department La Jolla	San Diego CA	858-761-1269
My Chef	San Diego CA	916-217-0049
Primal Balance Nutrition LLC	Vista CA	818-259-0995
San Diego Humane Society	San Diego CA	619-299-7012
Isola La Jolla	La Jolla CA	858-412-5566
Tahona (Kitchen)	San Diego CA	619-573-0289
Stout Public House	San Diego CA	619-702-7933
The Besta-Wan Pizza House	Cardiff CA	805-231-2515
Dolce Pane & Vino	Del Mar CA	858-832-1518
Mavericks Beach Club	San Diego CA	858-999-0348
The Crack Shack-Encinitas	Encinitas CA	858-735-3093
Brigantine Poway Bar	Poway CA	858-486-3066
Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe	Rancho Santa Fe CA	858-759-6063
Polaris Supreme	San Diego CA	619-390-7890
Green Acres Campus	San Diego CA	858-450-9907
Elks Lodge 2698 -Donation	Lakeside CA	619-390-4949
Bishop School	San Diego CA	858-459-4021
Savory Moment (1)	Carlsbad CA	619-633-8863
Leucadia Pizza Scripps Ranch	San Diego CA	858-530-2222
The Promiscuous Fork-La Jolla Blvd	La Jolla CA	858-776-3246
Saiko Sushi-Coronado	Coronado CA	619-435-0868
Kettner Exchange	San Diego CA	909-915-9877
Higher Grounds Coffee + Cafe	San Diego CA	831-247-5395
Mesa College	San Diego CA	619-388-2240
Bernini's Bistro	La Jolla CA	858-454-5013
Harvest Kitchen (Corp Lunch)	San Marcos CA	619-709-0938
Great Maple Hillcrest	San Diego CA	619-255-2282
Sets Kitchen and Bar	San Marcos CA	970-390-2148
Piatti	San Diego CA	858-454-1589
The Lab Restaurant	Oceanside CA	619-861-8299
Wonderful Sushi Hillcrest	San Diego CA	619-757-6634
PFC Fitness Camp	Carlsbad CA	888-488-8936
Leucadia Pizza Point Loma	San Diego CA	619-295-2222
The Santaluz Club Inc - Banquet	San Diego CA	858-759-3150
Edgewater Grill	San Diego CA	619-232-7581
Nolita Hall	San Diego CA	619-618-8820
Third Corner Encinitas	Encinitas CA	619-417-9251
The Country Club Of Rancho Bernardo	San Diego CA	858-487-1134
Coin-Op Game Room (North Park)	San Diego CA	818-448-0129
Hilton Garden Inn	San Diego CA	858-720-9500
The Local-Pacific Beach	San Diego CA	858-263-7475
Ridgeview Health Center	San Diego CA	858-293-3950
Sandpiper Wood Fired Grill & Oysters	La Jolla CA	858-228-5655
Toast Catering	San Diego CA	619-795-9135
Jeune Et Jolie	Carlsbad CA	858-231-0862
Seneca	San Diego CA	619-588-2411
Harvest Kitchen	Vista CA	619-709-0938
Brigantine Poway	Poway CA	858-486-3066
Madi	San Diego CA	320-491-1217
Nobu	San Diego CA	619-814-4124
Chateau La Jolla	San Diego CA	858-459-4451
Kensington Cafe	San Diego CA	619-684-0044 Fausto
Harumama Noodles & Buns (Encinitas)	Encinitas CA	858-886-9909
College Cuisine - ZBT	San Diego CA	619-295-3172
Red O Restaurant	San Diego CA	858-291-8360
Pacific Cafe & Catering (Medical Cntr Dr.)	La Jolla CA	619-808-4087
Marriott Courtyard Old Town	San Diego CA	619-260-8500
Mikami	San Diego CA	619-780-0974
Sushi Ota 2021	San Diego CA	858-270-5047
The Mission EV	San Diego CA	619-232-7662
Georges at the Cove	San Diego CA	858-454-4244
College Cuisine - Gamma Phi Beta	San Diego CA	310-634-2371
Urbn Pizza Kitchen	San Diego CA	619-255-7300
Isola Pizza Bar	San Diego CA	619-564-2938
The Santaluz Club Inc - Main Dining	San Diego CA	858-759-3150
Pacific Regent La Jolla	San Diego CA	858-597-8008
Olivewood Gardens and Learning Center	National City CA	619-434-4281
Cal A Vie	Vista CA	760-945-2055
Local Greens	Solana Beach CA	858-504-0332
Grass Skirt	San Diego CA	858-412-5237
Harney Sushi Oceanside	Oceanside CA	760-967-1820
Under Belly-Little Italy Kitchen	San Diego CA	619-269-4626
Americana Restaurant	Del Mar CA	858-794-6838
Sushi Kami	San Diego CA	858-451-7799
Trattoria I Trulli	Encinitas CA	760-277-9826
La Costa Resort & Spa Main Kitchen	Carlsbad CA	760-930-7063
The Crack Shack Costa Mesa	Costa Mesa CA	951-808-7790
Half Door Brewing	San Diego CA	619-655-7459
Addison Del Mar	Del Mar CA	858-350-7600

Recipe Ideas

Recipes that include Broccoli. One

is easiest, three is harder.

Garlic & Zest		Truffled Cream of Broccoli Soup
Whole and Heavenly Oven		Springtime Veggie Pasta Primavera
Clean Eats, Fast Feets		Broccoli Cheddar Quiche
Savory Tooth		Balsamic Roasted Broccoli Salad with Garlic
This Savory Vegan		Vegan Brocoli Pesto Pasta with Whipped Tofu Ricotta
Just a Little Bit of Bacon		Three Cheese Broccoli Bites
Little Mashies		Broccoli Baby Puree
Passion for Savings		Slow Cooker Broccoli & Cheese Soup
The Endless Meal		Green Veggie Pizza Crust
Fuss Free Cooking		Broccoli Pesto Pasta

the other 97...

Vegan Heaven		Green Monster Veggie Burger
Weelicious		Broccoli, Potato and Cheese Puree
Art From My Table		Broccoli Blueberry Salad
Eat Good 4 LIfe		Whole Wheat White Broccoli Pizza
Natasha's Kitchen		Chicken Stir Fry with Rice Noodles
Wine and Glue		Lighter Broccoli Cheese Soup
Sweet Dash of Sass		Chicken Broccoli Alfredo Stuffed Shells
Clean Eating Veggie Girl		Raw Cheezy Broccoli Poppers
Fooduzzi		Easy Vegan Parmesan Roasted Broccoli
Bunny's Warm Oven		Cheesy Broccoli Rice
Rabbit and Wolves		Vegan Bang Bang Broccoli
The Endless Meal		Roasted Broccoli Salad with Blueberries, Bacon, and Pecans
Foodie Fiasco		Low Calorie Cheesy Broccoli Quiche
Design Dazzle		Garden Veggie Rice Salad
Vegan Heaven		Veggie Salad with Broccoli and Mushrooms
Alidas Kitchen		Broccoli Cheddar Quinoa Bites
Our Salty Kitchen		Broccoli Quinoa Salad with Sunbutter Sauce
Pip & Ebby		Eggs with Broccoli and Tomatoes
Two Peas and Their Pod		Roasted Broccoli Grilled Cheese
Just a Little Bit of Bacon		Creamy Broccoli Apple Salad With Pistachios, Cranberries, And Red Onion
The Cookie Rookie		Roasted Lemon Parmesan Broccoli
Delish Knowledge		Roasted Broccoli Pesto Pizza
The Busy Baker		Healthy 3 Ingredient Broccoli Soup
Daily Rebecca		Broccoli & Chickpea Salad
Delish Knowledge		Charred Broccoli and Mozzarella Sandwich
Buona Pappa		Salmon Broccoli Lemon Baby Puree
Fooduzzi		Roasted Broccoli Quinoa Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing
Simply Stacie		Very Veggie Chicken and Rice Soup
Baked Greens		Broccoli, Cheddar, & Green Pea Fritters
Kristine's Kitchen		No Mayo Broccoli Salad with Blueberries and Apple
Life Made Sweeter		Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli
Mother Thyme		Chicken Alfredo Garlic Bread Pizza
The Harvest Kitchen		Crunchy Curried Broccoli Salad
The Honour System		Creamy Honey Mustard Chopped Chicken & Veggie Salad
A Latte Food		Hash Brown Crusted Broccoli & Cheddar Quiche Cups
Design Dazzle		5 Minute Healthy Halloween Treats
Feel Good Foodie		Broccoli & Cheese Hand Pies
Wall Flower Kitchen		Spicy Green Soup
Meatloaf and Melodrama		Sheet Pan BBQ Smoked Sausage Dinner
Just a Little Bit of Bacon		Chicken And Broccoli Salad With Creamy Dressing
Julia's Album		Asiago Roasted Broccoli
40 Aprons		Paleo Broccoli Cheese Soup
Veggie Inspired		Velvety Green Vegetable Soup
Rebooted Mom		Creamy Instant Pot Broccoli Pasta Sauce
Rawmazing		Sweet Potato Broccoli Salad with Garlic-Ginger Tahini Sauce
Radiate Food Vibes		Vegan Pizza Potato Skins with Roasted Broccoli
Vegan Heaven		Vegan Chicken Alfredo
A Healthy Slice of Life		Broccoli Cheddar Quinoa Bites
Play. Party. Plan.		Broccoli Cheese Bites
The Kitchen is My Playground		Marinated Summer Vegetable Salad
Gourmande in the Kitchen		Creamy Broccoli Spinach Soup
Delish Knowledge		Vegan Macaroni and Cheese with Broccoli
Cooking Classy		Very Veggie Fried Rice
An Italian in My Kitchen		Three Vegetable Creamy Broccoli Soup
Running In A Skirt		Roasted Broccoli Pasta with Tahini Dressing
From My Bowl		Vegetable Lasagna with White Sauce
Gimme Delicious Food		Broccoli Crust Pizza
Produce on Parade		Broccoli & Squash Quiche
Produce on Parade		Vegan Pad See Ew
Because I Said So, Baby		Easy Cheesy 4 Ingredient Broccoli Bites
Courntey Sweets		Lemon Pepper Salmon and Rice Salad
Crowded Kitchen		Green Curry Coconut Rice with Chickpeas, Mushrooms and Greens
A Brown Table		Broccoli, Thyme and Gochulang Soup
The Foodie Physician		Seared Tuna with Soba Noodles and Sesame Roasted Broccoli
The First Mess		Green Goddess Pizza & Broccoli Stem Pesto
Know Your Produce		Broccoli Alfredo Stuffed Baked Potato
I Wash You Dry		Broccoli Cheese Stuffed Chicken Breast
Vanille Verte		Chicken Tikka Masala on Broccoli Rice
Wife Mama Foodie		Creamed Broccoli & Spinach Soup
Cilantro & Citronella		Vegetable Udon Stir-fry
Hey Keto Mama		Keto Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Simply Stacie		Chicken, Broccoli & Cheddar Pot Pies
Domestic Fits		Broccoli Guacamole
Wine and Glue		Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Bobbi's Kozy Kitchen		Broccoli Pesto
Delish Knowledge		Vegan Coconut Curry Noodle Bowls
Healthier Steps		Curry Quinoa with Broccoli
Thirty Handmade Days		Broccoli Salad
Gimme Delicious Food		Baked Broccoli Tots
PaleOMG		Broccoli Fritters
Damn Delicious		Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo
Feel Good Foodie		Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry
The Novice Chef		Broccoli Cheese Bombs
Evolving Table		Roasted Broccoli with Sriracha with Honey
I Love Vegan		Broccoli Almondine
Happy Healthy Mama		Instant Pot Broccoli Cheese Soup
Taste and See		Roasted Parmesan Broccoli
Peas and Crayons		Broccoli and Cheddar Four Cheese Pizza Flatbread
Mom Loves Baking		Cold Veggie Pizza Appetizer
Super Healthy Kids		Broccoli Poppers
A Latte Food		Skinny Crustless Quiche
The Harvest Kitchen		Coconut Curry Broccoli Soup
Ahead of Thyme		Roasted Broccoli Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Averie Cooks		Broccoli Cheese Soup
Courntey Sweets		Broccoli Cheese Potato Mini Pies
Damn Delicious		Baked Broccoli Parmesan Dip
An Italian in My Kitchen		Baked Breaded Broccoli