Broccoli

Estimated Inventory, 22 lbs : 57.33
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.

Great Maple Hillcrest	San Diego CA	619-255-2282
PFC Fitness Camp	Carlsbad CA	888-488-8936
The Local-Pacific Beach	San Diego CA	858-263-7475
Toast Catering	San Diego CA	619-795-9135
Belmont Park Draft	San Diego CA	858-228-9283
Hilton Garden Inn - Homewood Suites San Diego	San Diego CA	619-696-6300
Solana Beach Kitchen	Solana Beach CA	610-717-7217
Monarch School (Nutrition Lab)	San Diego CA	619-804-1766
Marriott Del Mar	San Diego CA	858-369-6029
Southwestern Yacht Club	San Diego CA	619-222-0438
St. Paul's Senior Services	San Diego CA	619-239-6900
Red O Restaurant	San Diego CA	858-291-8360
Sandpiper Wood Fired Grill & Oysters	La Jolla CA	858-228-5655
Georges at the Cove	San Diego CA	858-454-4244
Stout Public House	San Diego CA	619-702-7933
Sisters Pizza	San Diego CA	858-228-6822
Wonderful Sushi Hillcrest	San Diego CA	619-757-6634
Coin-Op Game Room (North Park)	San Diego CA	818-448-0129
Marriott Courtyard Old Town	San Diego CA	619-260-8500
Leucadia Pizza Scripps Ranch	San Diego CA	858-530-2222

the other 103...

Nolita Hall	San Diego CA	619-618-8820
Love Boat Sushi-Oceanside	Oceanside CA	760-721-3737
Herb & Sea	Encinitas CA	858-587-6601
Juniper & Ivy	San Diego CA	858-481-3666
Bali Hai Restaurant	San Diego CA	619-222-1181
Third Corner Encinitas	Encinitas CA	619-417-9251
Carte Hotel	San Diego CA	619-365-1858
Sovereign Thai Cuisine	San Diego CA	619-887-2000
Hane	San Diego CA	619-339-6438
Americana Restaurant	Del Mar CA	858-794-6838
Dolce Pane & Vino	Del Mar CA	858-832-1518
Pacific Regent La Jolla	San Diego CA	858-597-8008
The Besta-Wan Pizza House	Cardiff CA	805-231-2515
Higher Grounds Coffee + Cafe	San Diego CA	831-247-5395
Isola La Jolla	La Jolla CA	858-412-5566
Half Door Brewing	San Diego CA	619-655-7459
Prey Brewing Company	Vista CA	760-822-4226
Bishop School	San Diego CA	858-459-4021
The Santaluz Club Inc - Main Dining	San Diego CA	858-759-3150
Local Greens	Solana Beach CA	858-504-0332
My Chef	San Diego CA	916-217-0049
The Crack Shack-San Diego	San Diego CA	619-795-3299
The Promiscuous Fork-La Jolla Blvd	La Jolla CA	858-776-3246
Trattoria I Trulli	Encinitas CA	760-277-9826
Leucadia Pizza Point Loma	San Diego CA	619-295-2222
Thai One On	Carlsbad CA	760-500-8674
Harney Poway Sushi	Poway CA	760-533-0051
Seneca	San Diego CA	619-588-2411
Sushi Ota 2021	San Diego CA	858-270-5047
Brigantine Poway Bar	Poway CA	858-486-3066
Parkhouse Eatery	San Diego CA	619 295 7275
Under Belly-Little Italy Kitchen	San Diego CA	619-269-4626
Harney Sushi Oceanside	Oceanside CA	760-967-1820
Harumama Noodles & Buns (Vista)	Vista CA	858-886-9909
All Aspects Catering and Events	San Diego CA	855-287-7658
Harvest Kitchen (Corp Lunch)	San Marcos CA	619-709-0938
Madi	San Diego CA	320-491-1217
Sushi Kami	San Diego CA	858-451-7799
Tom Hams Light House	San Diego CA	619-291-9110
Jeune Et Jolie	Carlsbad CA	858-231-0862
Polaris Supreme	San Diego CA	619-390-7890
Urbn Pizza Kitchen	San Diego CA	619-255-7300
Green Acres Campus	San Diego CA	858-450-9907
Saiko Sushi-Coronado	Coronado CA	619-435-0868
Bernini's Bistro	La Jolla CA	858-454-5013
Crust Pizzeria Carlsbad 2019	Carlsbad CA	760-944-1111
College Cuisine - ZBT	San Diego CA	619-295-3172
La Costa Resort & Spa Main Kitchen	Carlsbad CA	760-930-7063
Little Lion	San Diego CA	619-519-4079
Harumama (Little Italy)	San Diego CA	619-269-7122
The Crack Shack Costa Mesa	Costa Mesa CA	951-808-7790
Justin Hoehn	San Diego CA	619 326 8895
Olivewood Gardens and Learning Center	National City CA	619-434-4281
Edgewater Grill	San Diego CA	619-232-7581
The Country Club Of Rancho Bernardo	San Diego CA	858-487-1134
The Market by Buon Appetito	San Diego CA	619-237-1335
Manhattan of La Jolla	La Jolla CA	858-459-0700
Addison Del Mar	Del Mar CA	858-350-7600
Mesa College	San Diego CA	619-388-2240
The Mission EV	San Diego CA	619-232-7662
Hilton Garden Inn	San Diego CA	858-720-9500
Mikami	San Diego CA	619-780-0974
The Lab Restaurant	Oceanside CA	619-861-8299
Harney Sushi	San Diego CA	619-295-3272
San Diego Humane Society	San Diego CA	619-299-7012
Pacific Cafe & Catering (Medical Cntr Dr.)	La Jolla CA	619-808-4087
The Crack Shack-Encinitas	Encinitas CA	858-735-3093
Harvest Kitchen	Vista CA	619-709-0938
Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe	Rancho Santa Fe CA	858-759-6063
Tahona (Kitchen)	San Diego CA	619-573-0289
Grass Skirt	San Diego CA	858-412-5237
Reata Glen	Ladera Ranch CA	949-545-2250
UCSD Food & Nutrition Department La Jolla	San Diego CA	858-761-1269
Catania La Jolla	La Jolla CA	858-551-5105
Bencotto Italian Kitchen	San Diego CA	619-822-5493
Chateau La Jolla	San Diego CA	858-459-4451
Kettner Exchange	San Diego CA	909-915-9877
Cal A Vie	Vista CA	760-945-2055
Mavericks Beach Club	San Diego CA	858-999-0348
The Haven (Pizzeria)	San Diego CA	619-964-3778
C 2 C	San Diego CA	619-972-9345
Nobu	San Diego CA	619-814-4124
Elks Lodge 2698 -Donation	Lakeside CA	619-390-4949
College Cuisine - Gamma Phi Beta	San Diego CA	310-634-2371
Primal Balance Nutrition LLC	Vista CA	818-259-0995
Rancho Valencia	Del Mar CA	858-756-1123
Hotel Republic San Diego	San Diego CA	951-756-9357
Harumama Sushi & Ramen (Ocean Beach)	San Diego CA	858-886-9909
Savory Moment (1)	Carlsbad CA	619-633-8863
Isola Pizza Bar	San Diego CA	619-564-2938
Piatti	San Diego CA	858-454-1589
Kensington Cafe	San Diego CA	619-684-0044 Fausto
Stake Chophouse & Bar	Coronado CA	619-522-0077
Sets Kitchen and Bar	San Marcos CA	970-390-2148
Harumama Noodles & Buns (Encinitas)	Encinitas CA	858-886-9909
Jujus Kitchen	Bonita CA	619-471-5342
Food by Chef Ty	Vista CA	424-278-8626
The Santaluz Club Inc - Banquet	San Diego CA	858-759-3150
Rabbit Hole	San Diego CA	619-255-4653
Brigantine Poway	Poway CA	858-486-3066
Vista Valley	Vista CA	760-758-2800
Ridgeview Health Center	San Diego CA	858-293-3950
Special Order	San Diego CA	619-876-4070

Recipe Ideas

Recipes that include Broccoli. One

is easiest, three is harder.

Mom Loves Baking		Cold Veggie Pizza Appetizer
Life Made Sweeter		Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli
Because I Said So, Baby		Easy Cheesy 4 Ingredient Broccoli Bites
Rawmazing		Sweet Potato Broccoli Salad with Garlic-Ginger Tahini Sauce
A Healthy Slice of Life		Broccoli Cheddar Quinoa Bites
Rebooted Mom		Creamy Instant Pot Broccoli Pasta Sauce
Delish Knowledge		Vegan Macaroni and Cheese with Broccoli
Meatloaf and Melodrama		Sheet Pan BBQ Smoked Sausage Dinner
Gourmande in the Kitchen		Creamy Broccoli Spinach Soup
Weelicious		Broccoli, Potato and Cheese Puree

the other 97...

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