It is almost wasteful to use only the flower head of broccoli for consumption. Its leaves, which are usually ignored, are also edible and even extremely tasty. It's high time to take a closer look at them
How can broccoli leaves be used?
Broccoli leaves can be usedrawandcookedin thekitchen. They are suitable for smoothies, soups, salads, side dishes and risotto, among other things. Its taste is reminiscent of mild kale and you can spice it up a bit with pepper, s alt and garlic.
What external characteristics do the leaves of broccoli have?
Broccoli leaves aredark green to blue-greencolored,stalkedandlobed There are both smaller and also larger specimens of them, with the larger leaves located at the bottom of the broccoli plant and the small leaflets located near the flower head. When you touch the leaves, you can feel their leathery texture. In principle they are very similar to the leaves of other cabbage plants such as the leaves of kohlrabi, cauliflower and kale.
Are broccoli leaves edible?
The leaves of broccoli areedible as are the florets and stalk. This applies to both the raw state and the cooked form. They are full of nutrients (including…a. Folic acid, iron, B vitamins, vitamin A, potassium and calcium) and are even he althier than the florets.
What do broccoli leaves taste like?
Broccoli leaves tastespicyandtart. They arereminiscent of kale, but have a slightly milder taste. Eaten raw, the leaves leave a pungent and herbaceous aroma in the mouth.
How to prepare broccoli leaves?
You can add the leaves of broccolirawto the next green smoothie, but you can alsosteam them,fry them,blanchingorcooking They can be used to enhance salads and soups and meat dishes and risottos get that certain something with these leafy vegetables. However, before you prepare the leaves, you should wash them, tear them into small pieces and remove the thick stems.
What pests attack the leaves of broccoli?
Bothcabbage fliesand variouscaterpillars cannot resist broccoli and therefore like to eat the leaves. If you discover clear and larger traces of feeding on the broccoli leaves, caterpillars are usually the pests behind them.
Why does broccoli sometimes only produce leaves?
In some cases the broccoli plant does not produce a flower head, but only leaves, which is usually due to alack of lime. Broccoli does not like acidic substrate. If the plant does not develop a flower head even after applying lime, you can simply harvest its leaves.
Tip
Skillfully season broccoli leaves
Pepper, s alt, nutmeg, oregano and basil are suitable for seasoning the leaves. You can also add a few finely chopped garlic cloves to round off the taste experience.
