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Broccolini® (Aspirations)
Inventory, 18 ct : 69.83
This item was last sold on : 12/09/23
Description/Taste
Broccolini® consists of elongated, tubular stems, averaging 10 to 15 centimeters in length, and transitions into dark green leaves traveling up the stem, spreading into small, clustered florets at the top. The narrow stems are bright green, firm, and smooth with a dense, crunchy, and succulent consistency. The leaves and florets are dark green with a delicate, brittle, and crisp texture. Broccolini® has a fresh, green taste with subtle peppery and mustard-like undertones. The vegetable is milder than common broccoli, and when cooked, the flavor becomes understated with fresh, sweet nuances.
Seasons/Availability
Broccolini® is available year-round.
Current Facts
Broccolini® is a naturally developed hybrid vegetable belonging to the Brassicaceae family. The sweet and tender variety was produced from traditional hand-pollinated crosses between gai lan and broccoli and is not genetically modified. Broccolini® is also known as Aspirations and was created in Japan as a crop to complement the seasonal sales of cool-season broccoli. Broccolini® grows best in temperate climates and can be grown year-round and worldwide, but the vegetable has remained a luxury variety due to the cultivar’s challenging growth characteristics and multiple harvest requirements. Despite its demanding nature, Broccolini® has amassed a small following among chefs and broccoli enthusiasts for the variety’s mild, sweet flavor, zero waste nature, and tender, crunchy consistency.
Nutritional Value
Broccolini® is an excellent source of vitamin C, an antioxidant that strengthens the immune system while reducing inflammation, and is a good source of fiber and vitamin A. The cultivar also provides calcium to protect bones and teeth, iron to build the protein hemoglobin for oxygen transport in the blood, potassium to balance fluid levels within the body, and lower amounts of folate, vitamin K, and manganese.
Applications
Broccolini® has a delicate nature and sweet, peppery flavor well suited for both raw and cooked applications. The hybrid cultivar does not need to be peeled before use and was designed to withstand high heat, utilized in roasted, stir-fried, sauteed, steamed, or blanched preparations. Broccolini® can be shaved into green salads, and the entire vegetable is edible, including the stem, leaves, and florets. It can also be blanched and tossed into pasta, chopped and mixed into grain bowls, layered on appetizer plates with creamy cheeses and dips, or tossed in light-bodied vinegar and served as a bright side dish. Beyond lightly cooked applications, Broccolini® can be stir-fried into vegetable medleys, roasted with meats, or used as a topping over pizza. Broccolini® pairs well with meats such as poultry, turkey, beef, pork, and fish, aromatics such as ginger, garlic, and onions, cheeses such as parmigiano, burrata, goat, and feta, tomatoes, eggplant, asparagus, Brussels sprouts, carrots, citrus, and olives. Whole, unwashed Broccolini® will keep 5 to 10 days when stored in a plastic bag in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Broccolini® is known around the world by many different names, and these names were created from targeted marketing plans to popularize the new vegetable. The variety was originally released as Aspirations, a term developed by Sakata Seed in reference to the company’s hopes of the new variety being successful. The name was also created to encourage consumers to relate the variety’s elongated stalks with the tender nature of asparagus, despite the cultivar not having any genetic ties with asparagus. Once Aspirations was introduced to the United States, it was renamed by the Mann Packing Company in Salinas, California. Mann Packing Company’s Chief Operating Officer’s wife, Debbi Nucci, developed the name Broccolini®, and the company filed a registered trademark for the name in 1998 in an effort to rebrand the new vegetable. The name Broccolini® was developed to associate the cultivar with baby broccoli as the American consumer market has a fondness for baby vegetables. Broccolini® was met with a positive response nationwide and is the primary label used in the United States today. Broccolini® is also known under other names, including Asparbroc, Chinese Baby Broccoli, Tender Stem, Broccoletti, and Broccolini Brand Baby Broccoli.
Geography/History
Broccolini® was developed by Sakata Seeds, a seed breeding company based in Yokohama, Japan, with offices worldwide. The variety was created from a Sakata Seed annual research meeting in the 1980s in Japan between marketing and sales professionals, seed breeding scientists, and experts. Sakata Seed is one of the world’s leading supplier of broccoli seeds, and during the research meeting, an idea was developed to create a type of vegetable similar to broccoli that could be grown in warmer climates year-round. It was important to the research team that the new variety maintained some physical similarities to broccoli, but the entire vegetable should be edible to reduce food waste. It took over seven years for the new vegetable to be created, first labeled under the name Aspirations, and was released to Japanese growers in 1993. Aspirations was later introduced in 1996 to the United States and was sold through licensed growers in Northern California. The leading partnership was with the Mann Packing Company of Salinas, one of the largest distributors of fresh broccoli. The company aggressively marketed the new variety as a sweeter, high-end variant of broccoli and eventually trademarked and renamed Aspirations to Broccolini® in 1998. Today Broccolini® is considered a specialty variety primarily found through farmer’s markets and select grocers and is sold in the United States, Canada, South Africa, Europe, Asia, and Australia.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
| Webbcreationfood LLC | San Diego CA | 619-829-9194 |
| Dan Gonzales Inc. | San Diego CA | |
| Glenbrook Health Center | Carlsbad CA | 760-704-1000 |
| Humphrey's | San Diego CA | 619-224-3577 |
| Sorority Cuisine - Gamma Phi Beta | San Diego CA | 310-634-2371 |
| JRDN Restaurant | San Diego CA | 858-270-5736 |
| Pacifica Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-792-0505 |
| The Crossings | Carlsbad CA | 760-444-1800 |
| Blue Whale | La Jolla CA | 808-868-8639 |
| Buckboard Catering & Events | El Cajon CA | 619-334-4400 |
| Margaritaville Hotel SD (Kitchen) | San Diego CA | 619-819-9500 |
| The Privateer Coal Fire Pizza | Oceanside CA | 760-310-1535 |
| Coast Catering | Escondido CA | 619-295-3173 |
| Fish 101 | Encinitas CA | 760-943-6221 |
| Smoking Gun | San Diego CA | 619-276-6700 |
| Kaleis Kitchenette | San Diego CA | 619-738-4731 |
| Cape Rey Carlsbad, a Hilton Resort | Carlsbad CA | 760-602-0800 |
| Brigantine Escondido | Escondido CA | 760-743-4718 |
| Cal A Vie | Vista CA | 760-945-2055 |
| Hilton Harbor Island | San Diego CA | 619-291-6700 |
| Sheraton Carlsbad (Banquets) | Carlsbad CA | 760-827-2400 |
| Fish 101 Cardiff | Cardiff CA | 619-753-7139 |
| Continental Catering Inc | La Mesa CA | 907-738-9264 |
| Mavericks Beach Club | San Diego CA | 858-999-0348 |
| Animae | San Diego CA | 619-925-7908 |
| Paradisaea Restaurant | La Jolla CA | 732-915-6669 |
| Eddie V's Prime Seafood - EV# 8514 | San Diego CA | 619-615-0281 |
| Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-759-6063 |
| Deeply Nourished | San Diego CA | 808-489-7366 |
| University Club | San Diego CA | 619-234-5200 |
| Baja Cavi | Lomas de Valle Verde 22810 | 619-295-3172 |
| Beaumont's | San Diego CA | 858-459-0474 |
| Fairmont Grand Del Mar | San Diego CA | 858-314-1975 |
| Cody's La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-459-0040 |
| Shogun Sportfishing | San Diego CA | 619-226-8030 |
| Pamplemousse Grill | Solana Beach CA | 858-792-9090 |
| The Lion Share | San Diego CA | 619-564-6924 |
| Polaris Supreme | San Diego CA | 619-390-7890 |
| Brigantine Poway | Poway CA | 858-486-3066 |
| Kairoa Brewing Company | San Diego CA | 858-735-0051 |
| Kitchens For Good | San Diego CA | 619-450-4040 |
| La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club | San Diego CA | 858-454-7126 |
| The Tavern | Coronado CA | 602-628-5890 |
| InterContinental Vistal Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-501-9400 |
| Top of the Market | San Diego CA | 619-234-4867 |
| Tavola Nostra Pizzeria E Cucina | San Diego CA | 619-921-4206 |
| BFD-Big Front Door | San Diego CA | 619-723-8183 |
| Portside Pier (Brigantine) | San Diego CA | 858-268-1030 |
| Southwestern Yacht Club | San Diego CA | 619-222-0438 |
| Salt & Whiskey | San Diego CA | 619-544-1886 |
| Vista Valley | Vista CA | 760-758-2800 |
| Barbarella La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-454-7373 |
| Uprising Pizza | El Cajon CA | 619-928-3286 |
| Communal Coffee | San Diego CA | 619-305-9525 |
| Bellamy's Restaurant | Escondido CA | 760-747-5000 |
| Morgan Run Resort and Club | Rancho Sante Fe CA | 858-759-5473 |
| Rustic Root | San Diego CA | 619-232-1747 |
| Catania La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-551-5105 |
| MCRD-Marine Corps Recruit Dept | San Diego CA | 619-725-6478 |
| The Plot | Oceanside CA | 422-266-8200 |
| Beach Plum Kitchen | Carlsbad CA | 760-688-8682 |
| The Glen at Scripps Ranch | San Diego CA | 858-444-8500 |
| Barleymash | San Diego CA | 619-276-6700 x304 |
| Food by Chef Ty | Vista CA | 323-506-1890 |
| Sushi Gaga | San Diego CA | 619-808-1556 |
| Sushi on a Roll | National City CA | 619-518-1468 |
| Saint Mark Golf and Resort, LLC | San Marcos CA | 508-320-6644 |
| The Compass (Catering) | Carlsbad CA | 760-434-1900 |
| Viejas Casino Grove Steakhouse | Alpine CA | 800-295-3172 |
| Dija Mara 2021 | Oceanside CA | 760-231-5376 |
| Urban Kitchen Catering | San Diego CA | 619-276-8803 |
| La Jolla Country Club | San Diego CA | 858-454-9601 |
| Brigantine Imperial Beach | Imperial Beach CA | 619-591-1350 |
| Giuseppe Restaurants & Fine Catering | San Diego CA | 619-436-7006 |
| Sugar Bear Enterprises | San Diego CA | 925-383-3623 |
| The Santaluz Club Inc - Main Dining | San Diego CA | 858-759-3150 |
| KI's | Encinitas CA | 760-586-8289 |
| Royal Polaris Sportfishing | San Diego CA | 619-226-8030 |
| Brigantine Coronado | Coronado CA | 619-435-4166 |
| Garbatella Osteria Bar | Chula Vista CA | 619-651-1185 |
| Stone Brewing-Liberty Station | San Diego CA | 619-269-2100 |
| Inn at Rancho Santa Fe (Banquet) | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-381-8289 |
| HiroNori Ramen | San Diego CA | 619-446-9876 |
| Harvest Kitchen | Vista CA | 619-709-0938 |
| Public House 131 | San Diego CA | 858-537-0890 |
| La Costa Glen South | Carlsbad CA | 760-704-1000 |
| Wine Vault & Bistro | San Diego CA | 619-295-3939 |
| Encontro North Park | San Diego CA | 310-955-6333 |
| Grass Skirt | San Diego CA | 858-412-5237 |
| Primal Balance Nutrition LLC | San Marcos CA | 760-822-2904 |
| The Flavor Chef (Catering) | Vista CA | 619-295-3172 |
| Brigantine Pt Loma | San Diego CA | 619-224-2871 |
| Park Commons - ARE | San Diego CA | 619-295-3172 |
| Rancho Valencia | Del Mar CA | 858-756-1123 |
| Ridgeview Health Center | San Diego CA | 858-293-3950 |
| Lauberge Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-259-1515 |
| Bayhill Tavern | San Diego CA | 858-288-6923 |
| Zinque | San Diego CA | 559-281-2485 |
| Oscars Brewing Company | Temecula CA | 619-695-2422 |
| RoVino Rotisserie + Wine | San Diego CA | 619-972-6286 |
| Oyster and Pearl Bar Restaurant | La Mesa CA | 619-303-8118 |
| US Grant Hotel Main | San Diego CA | 619-232-3121 |
| Sheraton Carlsbad (20/20) | Carlsbad CA | 760-827-2400 |
| Firefly Beach | San Diego CA | 619-222-6440 |
| Surf Side Cuisine | San Diego CA | 619-507-0891 |
| Juan Tequila | San Diego CA | 520-395-7565 |
| Duke's La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-454-1999 |
| Pendry SD (Pendry Banquets) | San Diego CA | 619-738-7000 |
| Palmys | San Diego CA | 858-886-7111 |
| Cloak and Petal | San Diego CA | 626-319-6878 |
| Long Story Short | San Diego CA | 619-228-9381 |
| Toast Catering | San Diego CA | 858-208-9422 |
| Azuki Sushi Lounge | San Diego CA | 619-238-4760 |
| The Pearl Hotel | San Diego CA | 877-732-7573 |
| Culinary Concepts | San Diego CA | 619-865-1918 |
| Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-756-1582 |
| Bishop School | San Diego CA | 858-459-4021 |
| Paradisaea Bar | La Jolla CA | 732-915-6669 |
| Madison | San Diego CA | 619-822-3465 |
| C 2 C | San Diego CA | 619-972-9345 |
| Ciccia Osteria | San Diego CA | 619-674-4069 |
| Yoann Taboyan, Personal Chef | San Diego CA | 347-277-1958 |
| Sbicca Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 619-417-2587 |
| Hotel Republic San Diego | San Diego CA | 951-756-9357 |
| La Costa Glen North | Carlsbad CA | 760-704-1436 |
| US Grant Hotel Grill | San Diego CA | 619-232-3121 |
| Birds Eye (La Jolla) | La Jolla CA | 513-549-0974 |
| Inn at Rancho Santa Fe | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-381-8289 |
| San Diego Yacht Club | San Diego CA | 619-758-6334 |
| Civico 1845 | San Diego CA | 574-210-4025 |
| Mille Fleurs | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-756-3085 |
| Miguel's Old Town | San Diego CA | 619-298-9840 |
| The Handmade Chef Meal Prep Co. | San Diego CA | 619-368-3705 |
| Farmers Bottega | San Diego CA | 619-306-8963 |
| Del Mar Country Club | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-759-5500 x207 |
| Bahia Resort Hotel | San Diego CA | 858-488-0551 |
| Maderas Golf Club | Poway CA | 858-451-8100 |
| Alila Marea Beach Resort (Banquets) | Encinitas CA | 805-539-9719 |
| The Shores | La Jolla CA | 858-459-8271 |
| Sandpiper Wood Fired Grill & Oysters | La Jolla CA | 858-228-5655 |
| Campo Gourmet | 619-719-6924 | |
| Peohes | Coronado CA | 619-437-4474 |
| Sycuan Casino | El Cajon CA | 619-445-6002 |
| Miguel Angel Mendoza | Maestros Ensenada, | 646-127-0277 |
| Carte Hotel | San Diego CA | 619-365-1858 |
| Cardellino | San Diego CA | 619-722-3398 |
| PFC Fitness Camp | Carlsbad CA | 888-488-8936 |
| Juniper & Ivy | San Diego CA | 858-481-3666 |
| Kaiserhof | San Diego CA | 619-224-0606 |
| Giaola | Carlsbad CA | 858-266-9303 |
| The Smoking Goat | San Diego CA | 858-232-4220 |
| The Guild Bar | San Diego CA | 619-573-0289 |
| Vagabond Sportfishing Inc. | San Diego CA | 619-993-9575 |
| Eddie V's La Jolla - EV# 8511 | La Jolla CA | 858-459-5500 |
| Candor | La Jolla CA | 858-581-2205 |
| Wormwood | San Diego CA | 619-573-0289 |
| The Remy | San Diego CA | 619-886-1358 |
| Red O Restaurant | San Diego CA | 858-291-8360 |
| Brigantine Corp | San Diego CA | 858 926 9644 |
| Ulivo | San Diego CA | 619-962-7345 |
| Brigantine Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-481-1166 |
| Wolf In the Woods | San Diego CA | 619-851-7275 |
| Izakaya Maize/Rabih Sus | La Mesa CA | 619-395-6383 |
| Jake's Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-755-2002 |
| Daily Chew Catering | San Diego CA | 619-879-7979 |
| Plant Based Meals | San Diego CA | 858-255-0590 |
| Monarch | Del Mar CA | 619-308-6500 |
| Lodge at Torrey Pines Main | San Diego CA | 858-453-4420 |
| The Guild Bar- Banquet | San Diego CA | 619-573-0289 |
| WineSellar & Brasserie | San Diego CA | 858-450-9557 |
| Herb & Wood | San Diego CA | 520-205-1288 |
| The Cork and Craft | San Diego CA | 858-618-2463 |
| Brigantine La Mesa | La Mesa CA | 619-465-1935 |
| Waverly | Cardiff CA | 619-244-0416 |
| Born & Raised | San Diego CA | 619-944-1631 |
| One Door North | San Diego CA | 858-232-4220 |
| Herb & Sea | Encinitas CA | 858-587-6601 |
| Avant | San Diego CA | 858-675-8505 |
| Sheraton Carlsbad (7 Mile) | Carlsbad CA | 760-827-2400 |
| Knotty Barrel- Rancho | San Diego CA | 858-484-8758 |
| Sheraton La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-453-5500 |
| The Compass | Carlsbad CA | 760-434-1900 |
| Lucky Bolt | San Diego CA | 662-832-3638 |
| Papalo | LA MESA CA | 619-886-3034 |
| La Costa Resort & Spa Main Kitchen | Carlsbad CA | 760-930-7063 |
| Huntress | San Diego CA | 619-955-5750 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Broccolini® (Aspirations). One
is easiest, three is harder.
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