What Bugs Me Regarding Broccoli

jmcquown said:

Not only does it bug me I can't find anything but broccoli crowns because I
definitely use the stalks in cream of or cheese broccoli soup... but what do
they do with the stalks?

check out the bags of "broccoli slaw"

Quoted message said:

I also don't need broccoli (or cauliflower) cut into florets *for me*. If I
want florets I'll buy a bag of frozen florets. Otherwise, I know how to
wield a knife. I don't need someone working in the produce aisle to cut my
vegetables for me *and* charge me a buck extra for doing so!

Convenience? Since when is it convenient to spend an extra dollar? It
takes maybe 1 minute, okay, two if I'm having a bad day, to cut florets from
the stalk. Oooh, I just wasted 2 minutes! Dang, better pay a dollar more
for that!

And does anyone actually *buy* broccoflower? It's this weird cross between
broccoli and cauliflower and the shade is slightly this side of a
flourescent green highlighter; bordering close on chartreuse. All in all a
rather unattractive looking vegetable. But maybe it tastes good. The
appearance just puts me off.

I've bought it. Only when it's on sale cheaper than the regular stuff,
though 🙂

--

saerah

http://anisaerah.blogspot.com/

"Peace is not an absence of war, it is a virtue, a state of mind, a
disposition for benevolence, confidence, justice."
-Baruch Spinoza

"There is a theory which states that if ever anybody discovers exactly
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and be replaced by something even more bizarre and inexplicable. There
is another theory which states that this has already happened."
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"jmcquown" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Not only does it bug me I can't find anything but broccoli crowns because

I

Quoted message said:

definitely use the stalks in cream of or cheese broccoli soup... but what

do

Quoted message said:

they do with the stalks?

I also don't need broccoli (or cauliflower) cut into florets *for me*. If

I

Quoted message said:

want florets I'll buy a bag of frozen florets. Otherwise, I know how to
wield a knife. I don't need someone working in the produce aisle to cut

my

Quoted message said:

vegetables for me *and* charge me a buck extra for doing so!

Convenience? Since when is it convenient to spend an extra dollar? It
takes maybe 1 minute, okay, two if I'm having a bad day, to cut florets

from

Quoted message said:

the stalk. Oooh, I just wasted 2 minutes! Dang, better pay a dollar more
for that!

And does anyone actually *buy* broccoflower? It's this weird cross

between

Quoted message said:

broccoli and cauliflower and the shade is slightly this side of a
flourescent green highlighter; bordering close on chartreuse. All in all

a

Quoted message said:

rather unattractive looking vegetable. But maybe it tastes good. The
appearance just puts me off.

Jill

I love broccoli, but I prefer the florets - leave those stems out of my
food. That's the reason I don't buy frozen, cut up broccoli. It's mostly
the hard stems!

I've bought broccoflower once, just to see what it tasted like. I mean,
it's okay, but I wanted it cooked. My hubby won't touch cauliflower that's
cooked, so he didn't want the broccoflower. Allan (TFM) will eat an entire
head of cauliflower just sitting here reading Usenet at night. It's like
candy to him. He's weird. And here I am, I won't eat it raw, only cooked,
and I prefer it au gratin style.

Jack Sprat could eat no fat, his wife could eat no lean........

Or so the saying goes. :~)

kili

"jmcquown" <[email hidden]> looking for trouble wrote in
news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

Not only does it bug me I can't find anything but broccoli crowns
because I definitely use the stalks in cream of or cheese broccoli
soup... but what do they do with the stalks?

I also don't need broccoli (or cauliflower) cut into florets *for me*.
If I want florets I'll buy a bag of frozen florets. Otherwise, I
know how to wield a knife. I don't need someone working in the
produce aisle to cut my vegetables for me *and* charge me a buck extra
for doing so!

Convenience? Since when is it convenient to spend an extra dollar?
It takes maybe 1 minute, okay, two if I'm having a bad day, to cut
florets from the stalk. Oooh, I just wasted 2 minutes! Dang, better
pay a dollar more for that!

And does anyone actually *buy* broccoflower? It's this weird cross
between broccoli and cauliflower and the shade is slightly this side
of a flourescent green highlighter; bordering close on chartreuse.
All in all a rather unattractive looking vegetable. But maybe it
tastes good. The appearance just puts me off.

Jill

Broccoflower tastes fine and you don't notice the color if you drown it in
a nice cheese sauce 😉

Michael

--
Pics aren't great but here are 2 of my 4 brats.
Hoot about to [censored] the snack out of my mouth:
http://tinypic.com/jtrw3o.jpg

Ramsey ever curious about electronics breaking into the TMobile bag:
http://tinypic.com/jtrwgn.jpg

"jmcquown" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Not only does it bug me I can't find anything but broccoli crowns because
I
definitely use the stalks in cream of or cheese broccoli soup... but what
do
they do with the stalks?

I also don't need broccoli (or cauliflower) cut into florets *for me*. If
I
want florets I'll buy a bag of frozen florets. Otherwise, I know how to
wield a knife. I don't need someone working in the produce aisle to cut
my
vegetables for me *and* charge me a buck extra for doing so!

Convenience? Since when is it convenient to spend an extra dollar? It
takes maybe 1 minute, okay, two if I'm having a bad day, to cut florets
from
the stalk. Oooh, I just wasted 2 minutes! Dang, better pay a dollar more
for that!

And does anyone actually *buy* broccoflower? It's this weird cross
between
broccoli and cauliflower and the shade is slightly this side of a
flourescent green highlighter; bordering close on chartreuse. All in all
a
rather unattractive looking vegetable. But maybe it tastes good. The
appearance just puts me off.

Jill

I don't think crowns are such a bad idea if I'm not using the stalks and the
crowns are cheaper on any given day. Florets...I agree. It's one of many
examples of stores catering to the lazy or uninformed. I'm always amazed
that people buy "microwave ready" baking potatoes. They're wrapped in
plastic, for people who:

- Are too busy to use their own plastic wrap
and
- Have probably never had a decent baked potato and don't realize that
you're not supposed to keep so much moisture inside.

Duh.

kilikini said:

"jmcquown" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Not only does it bug me I can't find anything but broccoli crowns
because I definitely use the stalks in cream of or cheese broccoli
soup... but what do they do with the stalks?

I also don't need broccoli (or cauliflower) cut into florets *for
me*. If I want florets I'll buy a bag of frozen florets.
Otherwise, I know how to wield a knife. I don't need someone
working in the produce aisle to cut my vegetables for me *and*
charge me a buck extra for doing so!

Convenience? Since when is it convenient to spend an extra dollar?
It takes maybe 1 minute, okay, two if I'm having a bad day, to cut
florets from the stalk. Oooh, I just wasted 2 minutes! Dang,
better pay a dollar more for that!

And does anyone actually *buy* broccoflower? It's this weird cross
between broccoli and cauliflower and the shade is slightly this side
of a flourescent green highlighter; bordering close on chartreuse.
All in all a rather unattractive looking vegetable. But maybe it
tastes good. The appearance just puts me off.

Jill

I love broccoli, but I prefer the florets - leave those stems out of
my food. That's the reason I don't buy frozen, cut up broccoli.
It's mostly the hard stems!

You don't have to buy frozen "chopped broccoli" which is mostly stems. Buy
the bags of florets. I can usually get 2 bags for a buck fifty.

Quoted message said:

I've bought broccoflower once, just to see what it tasted like. I
mean, it's okay, but I wanted it cooked. My hubby won't touch
cauliflower that's cooked, so he didn't want the broccoflower. Allan
(TFM) will eat an entire head of cauliflower just sitting here
reading Usenet at night. It's like candy to him. He's weird. And
here I am, I won't eat it raw, only cooked, and I prefer it au gratin
style.

I don't like any raw veggies; I'm just weird that way.

Quoted message said:

Jack Sprat could eat no fat, his wife could eat no lean........

Or so the saying goes. :~)

kili

Except he *does* eat fat and you eat lean LOL

Jill

Michael 'Dog3' Lonergan said:

"jmcquown" <[email hidden]> looking for trouble wrote in
news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

And does anyone actually *buy* broccoflower? It's this weird cross
between broccoli and cauliflower and the shade is slightly this side
of a flourescent green highlighter; bordering close on chartreuse.
All in all a rather unattractive looking vegetable. But maybe it
tastes good. The appearance just puts me off.

Jill

Broccoflower tastes fine and you don't notice the color if you drown
it in a nice cheese sauce 😉

Michael

There's a thought! Or maybe Hollandaise... hmmmm.

Jill

"jmcquown" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

kilikini said:

"jmcquown" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Not only does it bug me I can't find anything but broccoli crowns
because I definitely use the stalks in cream of or cheese broccoli
soup... but what do they do with the stalks?

I also don't need broccoli (or cauliflower) cut into florets *for
me*. If I want florets I'll buy a bag of frozen florets.
Otherwise, I know how to wield a knife. I don't need someone
working in the produce aisle to cut my vegetables for me *and*
charge me a buck extra for doing so!

Convenience? Since when is it convenient to spend an extra dollar?
It takes maybe 1 minute, okay, two if I'm having a bad day, to cut
florets from the stalk. Oooh, I just wasted 2 minutes! Dang,
better pay a dollar more for that!

And does anyone actually *buy* broccoflower? It's this weird cross
between broccoli and cauliflower and the shade is slightly this side
of a flourescent green highlighter; bordering close on chartreuse.
All in all a rather unattractive looking vegetable. But maybe it
tastes good. The appearance just puts me off.

Jill

I love broccoli, but I prefer the florets - leave those stems out of
my food. That's the reason I don't buy frozen, cut up broccoli.
It's mostly the hard stems!

You don't have to buy frozen "chopped broccoli" which is mostly stems.

Buy

Quoted message said:

the bags of florets. I can usually get 2 bags for a buck fifty.

Quoted message said:

I've bought broccoflower once, just to see what it tasted like. I
mean, it's okay, but I wanted it cooked. My hubby won't touch
cauliflower that's cooked, so he didn't want the broccoflower. Allan
(TFM) will eat an entire head of cauliflower just sitting here
reading Usenet at night. It's like candy to him. He's weird. And
here I am, I won't eat it raw, only cooked, and I prefer it au gratin
style.

I don't like any raw veggies; I'm just weird that way.

Quoted message said:

Jack Sprat could eat no fat, his wife could eat no lean........

Or so the saying goes. :~)

kili

Except he *does* eat fat and you eat lean LOL

Jill

For him, the mo' fat, mo' bettah! :~)

kili

jmcquown said:

Not only does it bug me I can't find anything but broccoli crowns because I
definitely use the stalks in cream of or cheese broccoli soup... but what do
they do with the stalks?

I also don't need broccoli (or cauliflower) cut into florets *for me*. If I
want florets I'll buy a bag of frozen florets. Otherwise, I know how to
wield a knife. I don't need someone working in the produce aisle to cut my
vegetables for me *and* charge me a buck extra for doing so!

As with all crops, broccoli is seasonal, and sometimes the crop was not
a bonanza. Most folks would rather the crowns than the stems, and so
to extend the cold storage life of the crowns the stems are removed.
And you pay for the removed stems, because were they not removed you
wouldn't have the crowns either. Naturally those who don't like the
price or the concept they are not forced to buy, or can buy frozen. I
much prefer frozen when broccoli is out of season... old produce is
far inferior nutritionally to frozen... even in season most all fresh
broccoli is inferior nutritionally to frozen . Unless you are
fortunate enough to harvest your own then frozen is always
nutritionally superior to what's sold as fresh. I only buy fresh
broccoli for eating raw in salads or stir frying, because I want the
crunch. But it really makes no sense to buy fresh broccoli if you are
going to cook it, especially for soups. If you are going to cook it
frozen broccoli is *always* nutritionally the superior choice. And
unless you really need those thick bottom stems frozen is typically the
better buy, especially if purchased in those large bags (~3lbs). I
often use frozen broccoli in salads too, just don't cook it... uncooked
frozen is great marinated.

jmcquown said:

Not only does it bug me I can't find anything but broccoli crowns because I
definitely use the stalks in cream of or cheese broccoli soup... but what do
they do with the stalks?

I also don't need broccoli (or cauliflower) cut into florets *for me*. If I
want florets I'll buy a bag of frozen florets. Otherwise, I know how to
wield a knife. I don't need someone working in the produce aisle to cut my
vegetables for me *and* charge me a buck extra for doing so!

Convenience? Since when is it convenient to spend an extra dollar? It
takes maybe 1 minute, okay, two if I'm having a bad day, to cut florets from
the stalk. Oooh, I just wasted 2 minutes! Dang, better pay a dollar more
for that!

And does anyone actually *buy* broccoflower? It's this weird cross between
broccoli and cauliflower and the shade is slightly this side of a
flourescent green highlighter; bordering close on chartreuse. All in all a
rather unattractive looking vegetable. But maybe it tastes good. The
appearance just puts me off.

Jill

We use the stalks too and broccoli with stalks is becoming rare in local
markets. My guess is that wally specifies it that way so thats how every
else gets it.

I guess you don't like the incredible time and work saver precut
potatoes either?

jmcquown said:

Not only does it bug me I can't find anything but broccoli crowns because I
definitely use the stalks in cream of or cheese broccoli soup... but what do
they do with the stalks?

I also don't need broccoli (or cauliflower) cut into florets *for me*. If I
want florets I'll buy a bag of frozen florets. Otherwise, I know how to
wield a knife. I don't need someone working in the produce aisle to cut my
vegetables for me *and* charge me a buck extra for doing so!

Convenience? Since when is it convenient to spend an extra dollar? It
takes maybe 1 minute, okay, two if I'm having a bad day, to cut florets from
the stalk. Oooh, I just wasted 2 minutes! Dang, better pay a dollar more
for that!

And does anyone actually *buy* broccoflower? It's this weird cross between
broccoli and cauliflower and the shade is slightly this side of a
flourescent green highlighter; bordering close on chartreuse. All in all a
rather unattractive looking vegetable. But maybe it tastes good. The
appearance just puts me off.

Jill

I buy fresh broccoli florets at Sam's Club in 3 pound bags for about $4.
It's the cheapest broccoli in town, and it will keep for over a week
in the fridge *if* you are careful not close off the little vent in the
back of the bag when you close it up. The brocolli has to "breathe" or
else it will spoil very rapidly, with a mighty odor. The vent is near
the top of the bag on the brand they sell here (Foxy), so I finally
learned to open the bag from the bottom.

I had a big salad for supper last night of finely chopped raw broccoli,
grated carrot, and red onion. I was gonna add some romaine lettuce, but
the bowl was already full of broc n stuff. :-)

Bob

jmcquown said:

Not only does it bug me I can't find anything but broccoli crowns because I
definitely use the stalks in cream of or cheese broccoli soup... but what do
they do with the stalks?

I also don't need broccoli (or cauliflower) cut into florets *for me*. If I
want florets I'll buy a bag of frozen florets. Otherwise, I know how to
wield a knife. I don't need someone working in the produce aisle to cut my
vegetables for me *and* charge me a buck extra for doing so!

Convenience? Since when is it convenient to spend an extra dollar? It
takes maybe 1 minute, okay, two if I'm having a bad day, to cut florets from
the stalk. Oooh, I just wasted 2 minutes! Dang, better pay a dollar more
for that!

And does anyone actually *buy* broccoflower? It's this weird cross between
broccoli and cauliflower and the shade is slightly this side of a
flourescent green highlighter; bordering close on chartreuse. All in all a
rather unattractive looking vegetable. But maybe it tastes good. The
appearance just puts me off.

Jill

In our local No Frills, the broccoli crowns are cheaper than the whole
stalk....go figure. This week they were even better quality than the
whole stalk. I've never bought broccoflower, but they had the orange
cauliflower in Sobey's. I didn't buy any since someone said on here
that it tastes the same as regular and I have some I froze. They were
$2.00 Canadian a head, the same price as regular. They were better
quality than the white though. ....Sharon

George said:

jmcquown said:

Not only does it bug me I can't find anything but broccoli crowns
because I definitely use the stalks in cream of or cheese broccoli
soup... but what do they do with the stalks?

I also don't need broccoli (or cauliflower) cut into florets *for
me*. If I want florets I'll buy a bag of frozen florets.
Otherwise, I know how to wield a knife. I don't need someone
working in the produce aisle to cut my vegetables for me *and*
charge me a buck extra for doing so!

Convenience? Since when is it convenient to spend an extra dollar?
It takes maybe 1 minute, okay, two if I'm having a bad day, to cut
florets from the stalk. Oooh, I just wasted 2 minutes! Dang,
better pay a dollar more for that!

And does anyone actually *buy* broccoflower? It's this weird cross
between broccoli and cauliflower and the shade is slightly this side
of a flourescent green highlighter; bordering close on chartreuse.
All in all a rather unattractive looking vegetable. But maybe it
tastes good. The appearance just puts me off.

Jill

We use the stalks too and broccoli with stalks is becoming rare in
local markets. My guess is that wally specifies it that way so thats
how every
else gets it.

I don't shop for groceries at WalMart but still find full heads of broccoli
on the stalks a rareity. Go figure.

Quoted message said:

I guess you don't like the incredible time and work saver precut
potatoes either?

Huh? They sell pre-cut potatoes?! Honestly, I've never seen such a thing.

Jill

"Sheldon" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

jmcquown said:

Not only does it bug me I can't find anything but broccoli crowns because
I
definitely use the stalks in cream of or cheese broccoli soup... but what
do
they do with the stalks?

I also don't need broccoli (or cauliflower) cut into florets *for me*.
If I
want florets I'll buy a bag of frozen florets. Otherwise, I know how to
wield a knife. I don't need someone working in the produce aisle to cut
my
vegetables for me *and* charge me a buck extra for doing so!

As with all crops, broccoli is seasonal, and sometimes the crop was not
a bonanza. Most folks would rather the crowns than the stems, and so
to extend the cold storage life of the crowns the stems are removed.
And you pay for the removed stems, because were they not removed you
wouldn't have the crowns either. Naturally those who don't like the
price or the concept they are not forced to buy, or can buy frozen. I
much prefer frozen when broccoli is out of season... old produce is
far inferior nutritionally to frozen... even in season most all fresh
broccoli is inferior nutritionally to frozen . Unless you are
fortunate enough to harvest your own then frozen is always
nutritionally superior to what's sold as fresh. I only buy fresh
broccoli for eating raw in salads or stir frying, because I want the
crunch. But it really makes no sense to buy fresh broccoli if you are
going to cook it, especially for soups. If you are going to cook it
frozen broccoli is *always* nutritionally the superior choice. And
unless you really need those thick bottom stems frozen is typically the
better buy, especially if purchased in those large bags (~3lbs). I
often use frozen broccoli in salads too, just don't cook it... uncooked
frozen is great marinated.

"Sheldon" <[email hidden]> looking for trouble wrote in
news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

As with all crops, broccoli is seasonal, and sometimes the crop was
not a bonanza. Most folks would rather the crowns than the stems, and
so to extend the cold storage life of the crowns the stems are
removed. And you pay for the removed stems, because were they not
removed you wouldn't have the crowns either. Naturally those who
don't like the price or the concept they are not forced to buy, or can
buy frozen. I much prefer frozen when broccoli is out of season...
old produce is far inferior nutritionally to frozen... even in season
most all fresh broccoli is inferior nutritionally to frozen . Unless
you are fortunate enough to harvest your own then frozen is always
nutritionally superior to what's sold as fresh. I only buy fresh
broccoli for eating raw in salads or stir frying, because I want the
crunch. But it really makes no sense to buy fresh broccoli if you are
going to cook it, especially for soups. If you are going to cook it
frozen broccoli is *always* nutritionally the superior choice. And
unless you really need those thick bottom stems frozen is typically
the better buy, especially if purchased in those large bags (~3lbs).
I often use frozen broccoli in salads too, just don't cook it...
uncooked frozen is great marinated.

I buy frozen broccoli during the winter here in Missouri. Frozen veggies
are a staple in the freezer during the winter months. Broccoli,
cauliflower, mixed vegetables and spinach can usually be found in the
freezer. I can find fresh at some of the markets but the produce looks...
well... scroungy. I also stock up on canned tomatoes of all kinds around
Sept. and Oct. The tomato crops have not been real good (that I have seen)
around here the past couple of years.

Michael

--
Pics aren't great but here are 2 of my 4 brats.
Hoot about to [censored] the snack out of my mouth:
http://tinypic.com/jtrw3o.jpg

Ramsey ever curious about electronics breaking into the TMobile bag:
http://tinypic.com/jtrwgn.jpg

"Sheldon" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

so
to extend the cold storage life of the crowns the stems are removed.

This is a gardening question, asked with the utmost sincerity: Why should
removing the stalks improve storage life?

George <[email hidden]> looking for trouble wrote in
news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

jmcquown said:

Not only does it bug me I can't find anything but broccoli crowns
because I definitely use the stalks in cream of or cheese broccoli
soup... but what do they do with the stalks?

I also don't need broccoli (or cauliflower) cut into florets *for
me*. If I want florets I'll buy a bag of frozen florets. Otherwise,
I know how to wield a knife. I don't need someone working in the
produce aisle to cut my vegetables for me *and* charge me a buck
extra for doing so!

Convenience? Since when is it convenient to spend an extra dollar?
It takes maybe 1 minute, okay, two if I'm having a bad day, to cut
florets from the stalk. Oooh, I just wasted 2 minutes! Dang, better
pay a dollar more for that!

And does anyone actually *buy* broccoflower? It's this weird cross
between broccoli and cauliflower and the shade is slightly this side
of a flourescent green highlighter; bordering close on chartreuse.
All in all a rather unattractive looking vegetable. But maybe it
tastes good. The appearance just puts me off.

Jill

We use the stalks too and broccoli with stalks is becoming rare in
local markets. My guess is that wally specifies it that way so thats
how every else gets it.

I guess you don't like the incredible time and work saver precut
potatoes either?

I'm not answering for Jill but IMO, all of those convenience type foods in
produce are a waste of money. However, I do feel they have a place. Many,
many families are way too busy for prep work but want a good meal. Parents
home at 5:30, child 1 has to be at band by 7:00, child 2 at cheerleader
practice by 6:45 etc. If I had a house filled with children, you bet I'd
be looking for shortcuts.

Now it's just the 2 of us in the house, besides 4 animals. I like the old
fashioned way.

Michael

--
Pics aren't great but here are 2 of my 4 brats.
Hoot about to [censored] the snack out of my mouth:
http://tinypic.com/jtrw3o.jpg

Ramsey ever curious about electronics breaking into the TMobile bag:
http://tinypic.com/jtrwgn.jpg

jmcquown said:

Not only does it bug me I can't find anything but broccoli crowns
because I definitely use the stalks in cream of or cheese broccoli
soup... but what do they do with the stalks?

The broccoli crowns I get aren't just florets. They have about 2-3
inches of stalk left on them. For most cooking, that's fine. I either
peel and slice the stalk that remains (for stir-fry or soup) or just
eat it.

Brian

--
If televison's a babysitter, the Internet is a drunk librarian who
won't shut up.
-- Dorothy Gambrell (http://catandgirl.com)

Doug Kanter said:

Sheldon said:

to extend the cold storage life of the crowns the stems are removed.

This is a gardening question, asked with the utmost sincerity: Why should
removing the stalks improve storage life?

Has to do with sex, reproduction.

The broccoli crown contains/is the broccoli flower... with most plants
the flower is the first part to fade when the plant is stressed, as in
pluked from the ground.

If you've ever seen broccoli past its prime in the field you'd notice
the first part to deteriorate is the top portion, those thick stems
tend to re-absorb the moisture from the crowns (this is true of most
plants, anyone who's looked at plants during a drought has seen how
they droop). Broccoli also tends to further mature after harvesting,
if left on the thick stems the plant will be more apt to bolt, it's
flowers will open. I'm sure most folks have seen broccoli at the
market that has begun to bolt, there will be a tinge of yellow at the
very tops, those little buds are beginning to open. Bolted broccoli is
not very attractive nor is it's texture very desirable, kinda like
eating straw. Of course even after trimming away the stems broccoli
will still rot anyway, but trimming gives it another week or two before
no one will buy it... naturally then you are buying mostly fiber, most
of the vitamin content has evaporated, and much of the minerals were
reabsorbed into the stems before they were trimmed away and discarded.
Before buying those relatively costly crowns consider buying frozen,
you will save money and have a far more nutritious product.

"Sheldon" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Doug Kanter said:

Sheldon said:

to extend the cold storage life of the crowns the stems are removed.

This is a gardening question, asked with the utmost sincerity: Why should
removing the stalks improve storage life?

Has to do with sex, reproduction.

The broccoli crown contains/is the broccoli flower... with most plants
the flower is the first part to fade when the plant is stressed, as in
pluked from the ground.

If you've ever seen broccoli past its prime in the field you'd notice
the first part to deteriorate is the top portion, those thick stems
tend to re-absorb the moisture from the crowns (this is true of most
plants, anyone who's looked at plants during a drought has seen how
they droop). Broccoli also tends to further mature after harvesting,
if left on the thick stems the plant will be more apt to bolt, it's
flowers will open. I'm sure most folks have seen broccoli at the
market that has begun to bolt, there will be a tinge of yellow at the
very tops, those little buds are beginning to open. Bolted broccoli is
not very attractive nor is it's texture very desirable, kinda like
eating straw. Of course even after trimming away the stems broccoli
will still rot anyway, but trimming gives it another week or two before
no one will buy it... naturally then you are buying mostly fiber, most
of the vitamin content has evaporated, and much of the minerals were
reabsorbed into the stems before they were trimmed away and discarded.
Before buying those relatively costly crowns consider buying frozen,
you will save money and have a far more nutritious product.

Amazing. I thought it had to do with day length & temperature, as botanists
say, but I guess not. Thanks, Sheldon.