Broccoli: season and benefits
Seasonal calendar - Broccoli
Nutritional values
A recognised superfood, broccoli is very rich in vitamins C and K, and contains sulforaphane with protective properties.
Storage
Broccoli keeps 4 to 5 days in the fridge vegetable drawer. Do not wash before storing. It yellows quickly — a sign the flowers are starting to open (edible but less tasty). It freezes perfectly in florets after 2 minutes of blanching. The thick stalk is also edible when peeled.
Origin
Broccoli originates from southern Italy, selected from wild cabbage by the Romans. Its name comes from the Italian "broccolo" (cabbage shoot). Catherine de Medici introduced it to France in the 16th century, but it remained little known until the 1980s. It was the American market that relaunched its global popularity. Brittany is the leading French production area.
Cooking Broccoli
Goes well with
Recipe ideas
- Broccoli roasted with Parmesan
- Broccoli soup
- Garlic and sesame stir-fried broccoli
- Broccoli gratin
- Raw broccoli and almond salad
Did you know?
Broccoli contains sulforaphane, a compound that has been the subject of over 3,000 scientific studies for its potential anti-cancer properties.