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Broccolini® (Aspirations)
Inventory, 18 ct : 186.86
This item was last sold on : 07/25/24
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.
Regency Twin Oaks | San Marcos CA | 909-325-6941 |
Brigantine Imperial Beach | Imperial Beach CA | 619-591-1350 |
Coasterra | San Diego CA | 619-814-1300 |
Searcher Sportfishing | San Diego CA | 619-861-4640 |
Polaris Supreme | San Diego CA | 619-390-7890 |
Wormwood | San Diego CA | 619-573-0289 |
Birds Eye (La Jolla) | La Jolla CA | 513-549-0974 |
The Kitchen at Torrey View | San Diego CA | 702-489-2129 |
Sheraton La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-453-5500 |
Fairmont Grand Del Mar | San Diego CA | 858-314-1975 |
BFD-Big Front Door | San Diego CA | 619-723-8183 |
Glenbrook Health Center | Carlsbad CA | 760-704-1000 |
Sheraton Carlsbad (20/20) | Carlsbad CA | 760-827-2400 |
Cucina Enoteca | Del Mar CA | 619-239-2222 |
Hotel La Jolla - Sea & Sky | La Jolla CA | 858-459-0261 |
Brigantine Coronado | Coronado CA | 619-435-4166 |
Rabbit Hole | San Diego CA | 619-255-4653 |
Saiko Sushi-North Park | San Diego CA | 619-886-6656 |
Bernardo Heights Country Club | San Diego CA | 858-487-4022 |
Brigantine Escondido | Escondido CA | 760-743-4718 |
31ThirtyOne by Deckman | San Diego CA | 619-495-9814 |
The Remy | San Diego CA | 619-886-1358 |
Brigantine Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-481-1166 |
Farmers Bottega | San Diego CA | 619-306-8963 |
Brigantine Pt Loma | San Diego CA | 619-224-2871 |
Stone Brewing-Liberty Station | San Diego CA | 619-269-2100 |
Mavericks Beach Club | San Diego CA | 858-999-0348 |
Le Papagayo (Encinitas) | Encinitas CA | 760-944-8252 |
Brigantine Poway | Poway CA | 858-486-3066 |
Culinary Concepts | San Diego CA | 619-865-1918 |
Kinme Omakase | San Diego CA | 619-231-0700 |
Alila Marea (VAGA Restaurant) | Encinitas CA | 805-539-9719 |
Bistro du Marche by Tapenade | La Jolla CA | 858-551-7500 |
Primal Balance Nutrition LLC | Vista CA | 818-259-0995 |
Brigantine La Mesa | La Mesa CA | 619-465-1935 |
Humphrey's | San Diego CA | 619-224-3577 |
Park Hyatt Aviara (Ember & Rye) | Carlsbad CA | 760-448-1234 |
Tavola Nostra Pizzeria E Cucina | San Diego CA | 619-921-4206 |
The Santaluz Club Inc - Main Dining | San Diego CA | 858-759-3150 |
Southwestern Yacht Club | San Diego CA | 619-222-0438 |
WineSellar & Brasserie | San Diego CA | 858-450-9557 |
Tribute Pizza | San Diego CA | 858-220-0030 |
Bahia Resort Hotel | San Diego CA | 858-488-0551 |
The Crossings | Carlsbad CA | 760-444-1800 |
Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District | El Cajon CA | 619-644-7585 |
San Diego Yacht Club | San Diego CA | 619-758-6334 |
Waverly | Cardiff CA | 619-244-0416 |
Avant | San Diego CA | 858-675-8505 |
Toast Catering | San Diego CA | 619-795-9135 |
Rustic Root | San Diego CA | 619-232-1747 |
Davanti Enoteca Little Italy | San Diego CA | 619-237-9606 |
University Club | San Diego CA | 619-234-5200 |
The Lion Share | San Diego CA | 619-564-6924 |
La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club | San Diego CA | 858-454-7126 |
Virtue Coffee & Juice | San Diego CA | 619-485-0485 |
Drift Cafe | San Diego CA | 858-263-4298 |
Brockton Villa Restaurant | San Diego CA | 858-454-7393 |
Georges at the Cove | San Diego CA | 858-454-4244 |
Nutmeg Bakery & Café ( Danielson ) | Poway CA | 858-405-2401 |
The Country Club Of Rancho Bernardo | San Diego CA | 858-487-1134 |
The Whaling Bar | La Jolla CA | 858-355-9218 |
Pendry SD (Provisional) | San Diego CA | 619-738-7000 |
Bayhill Tavern | San Diego CA | 858-288-6923 |
Paradise Point Resort Tidal | San Diego CA | 858-490-6363 |
MCRD-Marine Corps Recruit Dept | San Diego CA | 619-725-6478 |
The Glen at Scripps Ranch | San Diego CA | 858-444-8500 |
Del Mar Country Club | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-759-5500 x207 |
Coco Maya by Miss Bs | San Diego CA | 858-245-3780 |
Duke's La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-454-1999 |
The Wild Thyme Company | San Diego CA | 858-527-0226 |
Barbarella La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-454-7373 |
Seasoned Catering and Events | San Diego CA | 619-246-4909 |
Baja Cavi | Lomas de Valle Verde 22810 | 619-295-3172 |
The Tavern | Coronado CA | 602-628-5890 |
US Grant Hotel Grill | San Diego CA | 619-232-3121 |
Fish 101 | Encinitas CA | 760-943-6221 |
Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-756-1582 |
InterContinental San Diego | San Diego CA | 619-501-9400 |
Don Pietro | San Diego CA | 619-255-7205 |
Sycuan Casino | El Cajon CA | 619-445-6002 |
Cloak and Petal | San Diego CA | 626-319-6878 |
Q&A Oyster Bar & Restaurant | Oceanside CA | 858-245-3780 |
Sbicca Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 619-417-2587 |
Mille Fleurs | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-756-3085 |
Chateau La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-459-4451 |
Madison | San Diego CA | 619-822-3465 |
Barleymash | San Diego CA | 619-276-6700 x304 |
Ridgeview Health Center | San Diego CA | 858-293-3950 |
Giaola | Carlsbad CA | 858-266-9303 |
Marriott Courtyard - Broadway | San Diego CA | 619-446-3008 |
Comma | San Diego CA | 619-802-9183 |
Gravity Heights Mission Valley | San Diego CA | 619-384-5993 |
Donation 2 | ||
Sugar Bear Enterprises | San Diego CA | 925-383-3623 |
Viejas Casino Grove Steakhouse | Alpine CA | 800-295-3172 |
Portside Pier (Brigantine) | San Diego CA | 858-268-1030 |
Continental Catering Inc | La Mesa CA | 907-738-9264 |
The Compass | Carlsbad CA | 760-434-1900 |
Farmer and The Seahorse | San Diego CA | 619-302-3682 |
Spirit of Adventure Sportfishing | San Diego CA | 619-454-9711 |
Vista Valley | Vista CA | 760-758-2800 |
Comercializadora de Especialdides | Vista Hermosa Ej Chapuitepec B.C. | 646 128 7028 |
Fish Market Downtown | San Diego CA | 619-232-3474 |
Park Commons - ARE | San Diego CA | 619-295-3172 |
The Handmade Chef Meal Prep Co. | San Diego CA | 619-368-3705 |
DS Catering Kitchen | Chula Vista CA | 619-703-9321 |
Pure Meal Prep SD | San Diego CA | 209-485-4861 |
Aztec Shop Catering | San Diego CA | 619 594-3576 |
Urban Kitchen Catering | San Diego CA | 619-276-8803 |
Stake Chophouse & Bar | Coronado CA | 619-522-0077 |
Royal Polaris Sportfishing | San Diego CA | 619-226-8030 |
Shogun Sportfishing | San Diego CA | 619-226-8030 |
Happy Medium SD (bar) | San Diego CA | 509-869-2279 |
insideOUT | San Diego CA | 619-888-8623 |
Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-759-6063 |
Catania La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-551-5105 |
Hotel Indigo | San Diego CA | 619-295-3172 |
Lauberge Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-259-1515 |
Herb & Wood | San Diego CA | 520-205-1288 |
A & M catering | San Diego CA | 206-802-8320 |
Cosecha Local | 646-132-5944 | |
Black Radish | San Diego CA | 619-775-7412 |
PFC Fitness Camp | Carlsbad CA | 888-488-8936 |
La Jolla Country Club | San Diego CA | 858-454-9601 |
Sheraton Carlsbad (Banquets) | Carlsbad CA | 760-827-2400 |
Ulivo | San Diego CA | 619-962-7345 |
La Costa Glen North | Carlsbad CA | 760-704-1436 |
Carte Hotel | San Diego CA | 619-365-1858 |
Deeply Nourished | La Jolla CA | 808-489-7366 |
Belmont Park Draft | San Diego CA | 858-228-9283 |
Juniper & Ivy | San Diego CA | 858-481-3666 |
Alila Marea Beach Resort | Encinitas CA | 805-539-9719 |
Nomad Donuts | San Diego CA | 619-431-5000 |
Encontro North Park | San Diego CA | 310-955-6333 |
Candor | La Jolla CA | 858-581-2205 |
Green Dragon Tavern & Museum | Carlsbad CA | 760-797-5579 |
Nolita Hall | San Diego CA | 619-618-8820 |
Huntress (Banquet) | San Diego CA | 619-955-5750 |
Terra Restaurant | San Diego CA | 619-293-7088 |
InterContinental Vistal Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-501-9400 |
Piatti | San Diego CA | 858-454-1589 |
Dolce Pane & Vino | Del Mar CA | 858-832-1518 |
Belmont Park Cannonball | San Diego CA | 858-228-9283 |
Olivewood Gardens and Learning Center | National City CA | 619-434-4281 |
Portside Pier (TopSail) | San Diego CA | 858-268-1030 |
Fresco Cocina | Carlsbad CA | 760-720-3737 |
Viejas Casino Hotel Kitchen | Alpine CA | 702-401-0455 |
Top of the Market | San Diego CA | 619-234-4867 |
Saint Mark Golf and Resort, LLC | San Marcos CA | 508-320-6644 |
Born & Raised | San Diego CA | 619-944-1631 |
Garbatella Osteria Bar | Chula Vista CA | 619-651-1185 |
Rancho Valencia | Del Mar CA | 858-756-1123 |
Blue Whale | La Jolla CA | 808-868-8639 |
Pacifica Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-792-0505 |
Sheraton Carlsbad (7 Mile) | Carlsbad CA | 760-827-2400 |
Manhattan of La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-459-0700 |
Buckboard Catering & Events | El Cajon CA | 619-334-4400 |
Harvest Kitchen | Vista CA | 619-709-0938 |
Coast Catering | Escondido CA | 619-295-3173 |
Jake's Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-755-2002 |
Margaritaville Hotel SD (Kitchen) | San Diego CA | 619-819-9500 |
Alila Marea Beach Resort (Banquets) | Encinitas CA | 805-539-9719 |
The Flavor Chef (Catering) | Vista CA | 619-295-3172 |
Higher Grounds Coffee + Cafe | San Diego CA | 831-247-5395 |
Black Raill Kitchen + Bar | Carlsbad CA | 619-454-9182 |
Beaumont's | San Diego CA | 858-459-0474 |
Happy Medium SD | San Diego CA | 509-869-2279 |
HiroNori Ramen | San Diego CA | 619-446-9876 |
JRDN Restaurant | San Diego CA | 858-270-5736 |
The Seabird Resort | Oceanside CA | 951-704-9703 |
Bekker's Catering | San Diego CA | 619-287-9027 |
Miguel Angel Mendoza | Maestros Ensenada, | 646-127-0277 |
The Privateer Coal Fire Pizza | Oceanside CA | 760-310-1535 |
Ballast Point Rest. - Miramar | San Diego CA | 858-790-6900 |
Animae | San Diego CA | 619-925-7908 |
Pacific Yacht Agents | Los Angeles CA | 808-214-0970 |
Food by Chef Ty | Vista CA | 424-278-8626 |
Viejas Casino Banquets | Alpine Ca | 619-295-3172 |
Oyster and Pearl Bar Restaurant | La Mesa CA | 619-303-8118 |
Beach Plum Kitchen | Carlsbad CA | 760-688-8682 |
Azuki Sushi Lounge | San Diego CA | 619-238-4760 |
US Grant Hotel Main | San Diego CA | 619-232-3121 |
Cal A Vie | Vista CA | 760-945-2055 |
Pamplemousse Grill | Solana Beach CA | 858-792-9090 |
The Plot | Oceanside CA | 422-266-8200 |
Mister A's | San Diego CA | 619-239-1377 |
Lodge at Torrey Pines Grill | San Diego CA | 858-453-4420 |
Herb & Sea | Encinitas CA | 858-587-6601 |
Palmys | San Diego CA | 858-886-7111 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Broccolini® (Aspirations). One
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