Broccoli: It’s Just Got Everything

Do you need Vitamin C, calcium, potassium, fiber or iron?  Why not get an ample serving of all of them?  Broccoli is a cornucopia of goodness, the superhero of the veggie world. 

Broccoli offers 71.8 mg of calcium per cup cooked, as much as 4 oz milk.  This veggie powerhouse also gives you 10% of your daily iron requirement & in one cup cooked broccoli you get at much Vitamin C as your Florida orange.  Wow! 

Broccoli is a plant of the cabbage family.  It has fleshy, green flower heads arranged in a tree-like fashion.  It is a cool-weather crop that grows poorly in hot summer weather.

Broccoli is a derivative of the Latin word bracchium which means strong arm or branch.  Roman farmers often called broccoli “the five green fingers of Jupiter“.

Although not appreciated in the United States for its culinary attributes until the 20th century, broccoli had deep roots with the Etruscans in Asia Minor, now Turkey dating back to the 7th century.  Beginning around the start of the 8th century, broccoli made its way to Italy and cultivation spread throughout the region.

You can just about do anything with broccoli.  You can boil it, steam it, juggle it, eat it raw, add it to a casserole or bake it with bread.  Bake it with bread?  Have I gone mad?!  Make sure you look out for the upcoming Broccoli Corn Bread recipe, it’s a knock out!

Until then,

Eat well & laugh often!