Broccoli
Interestingly enough, broccoli is actually a member of the cabbage family and can be either eaten raw or cooked. It really does resemble a small tree, with a thick stalk and flowering heads. In general, it tastes slightly bitter and earthy. The most common form of broccoli is the Calabrese Broccoli. There is also a kind called Sprouting Broccoli which has many heads and thin stalks. Broccoli can also be purple, though it's referred to as Purple Cauliflower. And Broccoli Rabe isn't broccoli at all, but a kind of turnip.
Confused yet? Me too. Let's keep going. Broccolini is some sort of hybrid plant, created from regular, old fashioned broccoli and Chinese Broccoli. And while we're at it, Chinese Broccoli looks like kale, and is mostly stalk and leaves with very little florets. Use whichever one you want, however you want. But keep in mind that some can taste more bitter than others.
If you're trying to think of a vegetable that checks all the boxes — tastes good, incorporates well into most recipes, is low-calorie, high in fiber and packed full of important vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients, then you'd be hard pressed to find something better than broccoli.
Broccoli has more vitamin C than an orange (!) and is a great source of beta-carotene (much like carrots). Inside all those lovely florets and stems it also has a bunch of B vitamins, potassium, zinc, and iron. Broccoli is a great food to add to your diet if you're trying to lose or maintain your weight as well because it is low in calories and full of fiber.
Confused yet? Me too. Let's keep going. Broccolini is some sort of hybrid plant, created from regular, old fashioned broccoli and Chinese Broccoli. And while we're at it, Chinese Broccoli looks like kale, and is mostly stalk and leaves with very little florets. Use whichever one you want, however you want. But keep in mind that some can taste more bitter than others.
If you're trying to think of a vegetable that checks all the boxes — tastes good, incorporates well into most recipes, is low-calorie, high in fiber and packed full of important vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients, then you'd be hard pressed to find something better than broccoli.
Broccoli has more vitamin C than an orange (!) and is a great source of beta-carotene (much like carrots). Inside all those lovely florets and stems it also has a bunch of B vitamins, potassium, zinc, and iron. Broccoli is a great food to add to your diet if you're trying to lose or maintain your weight as well because it is low in calories and full of fiber.
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