Description
Savour the crisp texture and mild flavour of our broccoli, perfect for steaming, roasting, stir-frying, or adding to salads, ensuring a nutritious and delicious addition to any dish. Available in our Local Farm Shop in Bellaghy, Mid Ulster Area.
🥦 Broccoli is a vibrant green vegetable from the cabbage family (Brassicaceae), scientifically known as Brassica oleracea var. italica. It’s prized for its edible flowering head, thick stalk, and surrounding leaves.
🌱 Physical Characteristics
- Structure: Tree-like clusters of tightly packed flower buds (called florets) atop a thick, pale green stalk.
- Color: Typically dark green, though some varieties may have purple or white hues.
- Growth: Fast-growing annual plant reaching 60–90 cm (24–35 inches) tall.
🌍 Origins & History
- Native Region: Eastern Mediterranean and Asia Minor.
- Cultivation: First cultivated in ancient Rome, later introduced to England and North America in the 1700s.
- Name Origin: From Italian broccolo, meaning “the flowering crest of a cabbage.”
🍽️ Culinary Use
- Can be eaten raw, steamed, roasted, boiled, or stir-fried.
- Popular in salads, soups, casseroles, and as a side dish.
- Cooking methods like steaming preserve more nutrients than boiling.
💪 Nutritional Highlights (per 100g raw)
| Nutrient | Amount | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Vitamin C | 99% DV | Immune support, antioxidant |
| Vitamin K | 85% DV | Blood clotting, bone health |
| Fiber | 2.6g | Digestive health |
| Protein | 2.8g | Muscle repair |
| Water | 89.3g | Hydration |
🧪 Health Benefits
- Rich in antioxidants like sulforaphane and beta-carotene.
- May support heart health, eye health, and cancer prevention.
- Contains compounds that may reduce inflammation and oxidative stress.
