Are broccoli leaves edible?

The name broccoli comes from the Italian "brocco", which means "shoot" or "branch". The plant gained real popularity in the second half of the 20th century. Broccoli is the genetic predecessor of cauliflower, but it is superior in taste and beneficial properties to the latter. Read this article to find out whether broccoli leaves are edible and how to cook them.

Can you eat broccoli leaves?

Are broccoli leaves edible? Yes. Young greens resemble spinach in taste and quality.

Broccoli leaves contain large quantities of vitamin A, which makes them especially beneficial. The greener they are, the richer and sharper they are. Another feature is that the product regulates metabolic processes in the body.

Taste qualities

Broccoli leaves have a strong flavor, reminiscent of the green parts of spinach.

To eliminate specific taste qualities, housewives treat cabbage with boiling water (however, it is better to pour boiling water over all greens for disinfection).

Broccoli leaves recipe

Greens are consumed fresh, fried, baked, steamed, boiled. It goes well with vegetables, seafood, meat and fish.

The leaves are used to prepare various healthy sauces, added to omelettes, vitamin cocktails, or pickled with cucumbers.

How to make a salad with broccoli leaves

There are a large number of broccoli salads. The main purpose of such dishes is to saturate the body with useful components and maintain a beautiful figure. Below are popular salad recipes.

Salad with cherry tomatoes, feta cheese and broccoli leaves

Ready in 10 minutes. It will be an excellent decoration for the holiday table and a nutritious breakfast option.

The following ingredients will be required:

• broccoli - 300 g;
• Cherry tomatoes — 160 g;
• feta cheese - 130 g;
• sesame - 1 tbsp. l.

Prepare for refueling:

• olive oil - 3 tbsp. l.;
• honey - 1 tsp;
• mustard - 2 tbsp. l.;
• ground black pepper - to taste.

Cooking steps:

1. The leaves are washed. Boil in salted water for 2-3 minutes. Cool in cold water.
2. Cherries are cut into 4 parts. Transfer them to a plate.
3. The cheese is cut into medium pieces or broken by hand. Sent to the tomatoes, forming a beautiful decoration.
4. In a separate container, combine the ingredients for the dressing. Close tightly and shake vigorously until a homogeneous mass is obtained.
5. The cabbage is transferred to the cherry tomatoes and feta cheese, the dressing is poured in and gently mixed. Sprinkle with sesame seeds.

Diet salad with raisins, seeds and raw broccoli leaves

The dish has an interesting taste and satiety. The calorie content per 100 g of salad is 122 kcal.

You will need:

• fresh leaves - 360 g;
• raisins - 80 g;
• sunflower seeds - 65 g;
• blue onion - 80 g.

For refueling take:

• yogurt 3% fat - 120 g;
• apple cider vinegar - 1.5 tbsp. l.;
• sugar - 1 tsp;
• salt - on the tip of the knife.

Cooking steps:

1. Pour boiling water over the raisins and keep them like this for about 15 minutes. Drain the water, place the ingredients on a paper towel, and dry.
2. Leaves are torn into small pieces. The onion is cut into half rings.
3. Mix all components. Add yogurt, vinegar, sugar and salt. Mix thoroughly.

Sunflower seeds are replaced with pumpkin, sesame or nuts. Monitor their quantity, otherwise the calorie content of the salad will be compromised.

PP salad with sweet and sour apples, prunes and broccoli leaves

This is a tasty and bright dish. It looks appetizing and attractive. The main highlight will be the sour cream dressing with a spicy aroma.

Will be required:

• leaves broccoli — 270 g;
• apples - 150 g;
• prunes - 30 g;
• red onion - 40 g;
• seeds pumpkins — 20 g.

Prepare for refueling:

• sour cream 15% fat - 50 g;
• honey - 1 tsp;
• dried garlic - on the tip of a knife;
• Dijon mustard - 1/2 tsp;
• black pepper - on the tip of the knife.

Cooking steps:

1. The dressing is being prepared. Black pepper, garlic, mustard, honey and salt are added to sour cream. Stir thoroughly until the honey is completely dissolved.
2. Prunes are treated with boiling water and cut into medium pieces.
3. Cut the apples into strips and add lemon juice. The latter will prevent darkening of the components.
4. The leaves are poured with boiling water and immediately removed. Wait until the water is completely removed.
5. Mix all ingredients, add dressing and mix again. Salad ready.

Pickling broccoli leaves

Cabbage leaves are good for pickling. They add piquancy and sophistication to the dish.

For classic pickling take:

• leaves - 400 g;
• carrots - 2 pcs.;
• garlic - 6 cloves;
• fresh dill - any quantity;
• bay leaf - 2 pcs.;
• black pepper - 15 peas;
• sugar - 10 tbsp. l.;
• water - 1 l;
• salt - 4 tbsp. l.;
• sunflower oil - 200 g;
• vinegar 9% - 1 tbsp. l.

Cooking steps:

1. The leaves are thoroughly washed and dried. Damaged ones are removed.
2. Cut the carrots into cubes or rings.
3. Grind the dill.
4. Pass the garlic through a press.
5. Prepare the container: wash and sterilize.
6. Mix carrots, garlic, leaves, dill in a container. Place into jars.
7. Heat water in a saucepan, add oil, salt, sugar, spices.Boil for about 10 minutes. Add vinegar.
8. Pour the contents of the jars with boiling marinade. They twist it.

The jars are sent to a cool, dark place for 2 days. Then they are placed in the refrigerator or placed in the basement for permanent storage.

Another interesting recipe is Korean broccoli leaves.

Prepare for pickling:

• leaves - 500 g;
• coriander - 1/2 tsp;
• water - 300 ml;
• carrots - 1 pc.;
• garlic - 4 cloves;
• vinegar - 30 ml;
• ground red and black pepper or a mixture of peppers - to taste;
• salt - 1/2 tsp;
• vegetable oil - 2 tbsp. l.;
• sugar - 1 tsp;
• sweet pepper - 2 pcs.

Salting process:

1. Cabbage leaves are washed. Soak them in salted water for 20 minutes. Then place them in a colander and dip in boiling water for 2 minutes. Then rinse again with cold water.
2. Sweet peppers are freed from seeds and washed. For pickling, choose multi-colored fruits to make the dish look colorful and appetizing.
3. The carrots are crushed on a special grater so that a long and thin straw is obtained.
4. Garlic is passed through a press.
5. All vegetable ingredients are sent to a separate container and mixed. Add spices, sugar and salt. Mix again. Pour in vinegar, oil, water. Keep it like this for 3 hours.
6. Then the mixture is poured into jars and filled with brine. Cover with lids, place in a pan of water and sterilize for 20 minutes.
7. The lids are screwed on tightly. The jars are turned over and placed on a hard surface. After a day, the container is sent to a dark and cool place for permanent storage.

This is interesting:

A selection of recipes from experienced housewives: how to pickle broccoli simply and tasty

How to eat broccoli and can you eat it raw?

When to harvest and how to store broccoli

Can I eat raw broccoli leaves?

Yes. Fresh leaves have a beneficial effect on the human body. Potassium stabilizes water balance, iron stimulates the formation of new blood cells, iodine maintains the health of the endocrine system.

Conclusion

Broccoli leaves are a healthy and unique product. They used to be thrown away, but today they have become part of many flavorful and satisfying dishes.

The recipes below are great for everyday use and for decorating a holiday table. All that remains is to choose the most suitable dish option and follow the recommendations.