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How’s that Broccoli Coming Along?

Experimentation yields results –  just not always the results we expect.  Such is the case with our trail planting of the Italian broccoli, Cavolo Broccolo a Getti di Napoli.  The picture on the seed packet indicates that this sprouting broccoli is harvested mainly for it’s leaves, but those leaves (and the shoots of sprouting broccoli) are reported to be slender and spear-like.

Well…not so much.

While it’s true that this is a prolific plant, just as it is purported to be:

Broccolioutofhand

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This plant stands 40 inches tall

I’ve yet to see a single sprout or slender leaf that remotely resembles the cover of the seed packet.

CloseupBroccoliagettidiNapoli

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Big broad broccoli leaves with no shoots

At first I was waiting to harvest the leaves until the shoots appeared.  Perhaps the shoots will come later, but I can’t wait any longer.

BroccoliCavoloaGettidiNapoli

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So now what?  A recipe, of course!

https://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2016/05/sauteed-broccoli-rabe-italian-recipe.html  – a simple dish, boiling the greens, then saute them with olive oil, garlic, and chili flakes.

Another recipe that I plan to try is this one from Sweet Delights of Home (dolcideliziedicasa.blogspot.com):

http://dolcideliziedicasa.blogspot.com/2011/01/zuppa-di-minestra-nera-con-fagioli.html

Roughly translated:

For the Minestra Nera soup:
 
5 beautiful little bundles of Cavolo Broccolo a Getti di Napoli (sprightly and sparkling)
500 g of boiled haricot beans (I recommend prepared by your sweet little hands)
4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 clove garlic, minced
1 chili
3 slices of diced bacon, high-quality (vegetarians omit or substitute with blackened tempeh)
salt
 
For the fried polenta pizza 
 
500 g of corn flour
1 liter and 500 ml of water
a dash of oil
salt and pepper to taste
 
Clean
the broccoli, being careful to take only the tender leaves and the central
core called “cimmolelle”. “Wash thoroughly and cook in boiling salted
water for about ten minutes! Drain and pour into pot with remaining
ingredients. There is no need to prepare and cook with lightly fried onions. Salt for half
an hour to make sure that all ingredients blend!
Meanwhile,
prepare polenta. Pour into a pan with oil
until they turn hot. It will have formed a crust.
Serve together with some bread soup. So, a nice spoonful of soup and “lively” little pieces of fried pizza!
For a nicer presentation, I thought I’d serve it in small pans.

 

Sounds dreamy, yes?

What would you do with this odd vegetable?  Post your suggestions here.

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