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eat purple sprouting broccoli

After a fairly sparse couple of months on the leafy veg front, the start of the purple sprouting broccoli season marks a welcome addition to the winter vegetable palate. Simply steamed or boiled, it partners almost any fish or meat dish, and it also takes centre stage in excellent dishes such as Broccoli with Anchovy (see below).

HISTORY

Purple sprouting broccoli was initially cultivated by the Romans. Broccoli has been grown in the UK since the early 18th century, although the purple sprouting variety has only risen to prominence in the last 30 years.

BIOLOGY

Broccoli is a cruciferous plant, in the same family as the cabbage, and is closely related to the cauliflower.

NUTRITION

Cruciferous foods are now hailed as having a number of important health benefits. Purple sprouting broccoli contains the phytochemical sulphoraphane (thought to help prevent cancer) and may provide resistance against heart disease, osteoporosis and diabetes. It is packed with vitamin C and is a good source of caretenoids, iron, folic acid, calcium, fibre and vitamin A.

TIPS

BUYING
Purple sprouting broccoli is especially good when young and tender. Look for darkly coloured specimens with crisp stalks, no bigger than 1cm in diameter, which snap cleanly when broken. Avoid bendy broccoli.

PREPARING
Split thicker stalks about halfway up so that they cook at the same time as the heads. Steam, stir-fry or boil in a small amount of water. The tasty leaves are edible and so do not need to be removed.

OTHER STUFF

Broccoli comes from the Italian word brocco meaning branch or arm. Roman epicure Marcus Gavius Apicius, creator of one of the earliest known recipe books, describes preparing broccoli "with a mixture of cumin and coriander seeds, chopped onion plus a few drops of oil and sun-made wine."

PICK OF THE RECIPES

in season:

january
february
march
april
may
june
july
august
september
october
november
december

ONLINE

• Purple Sprouting Broccoli with Chilli and Sesame Dressing

• Fettuccine with Purple Sprouting Broccoli

• Spicy Purple Sprouting Broccoli Pasta

IN PRINT

• Purple Sprouting Broccoli with Spring Onions and Almonds
  A Taste for All Seasons

• Broccoli with Anchovy
  The River Cafe Cook Book

• Ten ways to enjoy purple sprouting broccoli
  The River Cottage Year