A common question is whether you can eat broccoli stems. The answer is yes. Not only can you, but you should use every part of this cruciferous vegetable. This part is very interesting for our dishes because it has the same properties as broccoli florets. In other words, in addition to proteins and carbohydrates, it has fiber and low fat and is rich in calcium, iron, and vitamins B1, B2, B6, C, K, A.
Therefore, a single broccoli can serve us for a single dish or multiple dishes, thus avoiding food waste and maximizing utilization. This fact is crucial when considering the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimate regarding food waste: the organization estimates that over 1 billion tons of food are wasted globally each year. How can we throw away broccoli stems with such a scenario?
Ideas in the Kitchen to Make the Most of Broccoli Stems
Now that we know that broccoli stems can be consumed without any problem, a logical question may follow if this part of broccoli has never been used in the kitchen: And how do you cook it? To answer this question, here are some fantastic ideas for you to make the most of broccoli stems and enjoy all their benefits and flavor. And of course, to avoid wasting food.
- Broccoli Stem Hummus. Lidl suggests an exceptional hummus made exclusively with this part of broccoli. Just wash and cut the broccoli: the florets on one side and the stem on the other, which we will boil for 5 minutes and then cool to stop cooking. Then, blend it with a clove of garlic, olive oil, cumin powder, and salt. You can use the trees as a snack to dip raw or bake them for a few minutes seasoned with some spices. You can find the complete recipe here.
- Broccoli Couscous. Another way to use the entire broccoli is to use the stem along with the florets to make broccoli couscous. Just chop the whole piece and use it as you like. On our website, we’ve given you ideas for making delicious broccoli couscous.
- Sautéed. In Vitónica, they offered an irresistible recipe: chicken with sautéed broccoli stems. It’s a fantastic way to make the most of the stem and not throw it away.
- In Cream. It’s straightforward: just add the stem to a broccoli-based cream. Here, we told you how to make a delicious broccoli cream.
And you? Do you have more ideas to make the most of broccoli stems? Tell us your recipe by tagging us on social media so we can enjoy it.