Most Broccoli leaves edible dishes revolve around the green florets. The stem and leaves, however, end up in organic waste. But that’s too bad: apart from the hard shell of the stalk, these parts are also edible without any problems . This not only helps you reduce food waste. The green leaves also contain a lot of valuable nutrients. In addition, they are very tasty and can be quickly transformed into dishes such as a refreshing salad.
Broccoli leaves edible: The vegetable leaves are so healthy
There is a reason why Broccoli leaves edible was regularly served to us as children: the cruciferous vegetables are one of the healthiest vegetables you can eat. They contain lots of vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals that have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. One reason why broccoli is a real superfood is its high vitamin C content. 100 grams of broccoli contains 115 mg of vitamin C, more than twice as much as 100 grams of oranges.
But the delicate leaves are in no way inferior to the florets. They even contain twice as much calcium as kale. The leaves also have nutrients such as vitamin A, iron and potassium. Secondary plant substances such as flavonoids and mustard oil glycosides help to eliminate free radicals in the body and prevent cell damage. This means they can even protect against cancer . Anyone who eats Broccoli leaves edible leaves instead of throwing them away is not only doing something good for the environment, but also for their health .
The health benefits of Broccoli leaves edible were discovered a while ago in the USA. There they are sold prepackaged as “BroccoLeaf”. Stars like top model Miranda Kerr and actress Jessica Alba are said to be up for it, according to Elle magazine.
Healthy and delicious: recipe ideas for Broccoli leaves edible
The taste of Broccoli leaves edible is reminiscent of cabbage, but is a little milder. But how do you best use them? The possibilities are almost endless. The leaves can be mixed into a green smoothie or cooked into vegetable soup . Or you can enjoy the broccoli greens as a vegetable side dish. If you want to be a little more creative, you can shape the leaves into tacos or small wraps and fill them however you like.
A salad is also an excellent idea. The Federal Center for Nutrition (BZfE) writes on its website: “Since most vegetable Broccoli leaves edible have a strong taste, they look good in salads.” The BZfE ‘s recommendation is to purchase regional products or organic vegetables, as the leaves are then fresher and less are treated. This also affects the taste of the salad and makes it even more aromatic.
Refreshing salad with broccoli leaves: Here’s how
The good news is: Preparing Broccoli leaves edible is not difficult. To make a delicious salad, follow these steps:
- Rinse leaves thoroughly under cold water and dry with a kitchen towel.
- Remove the leaves from the stems. Depending on your taste, you can cut them into bite-sized pieces or leave them whole. When the leaves are young and tender, they can be used raw. Alternatively, they can be blanched or lightly steamed to reduce their bitterness.
- Place the Broccoli leaves edible in a salad bowl.
- Now you can add the ingredients of your choice to create a refreshing salad. For example, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, peppers, red onions, avocado, feta and walnuts are good. You can experiment with different combinations to create your personal favorite salad.
- In a separate bowl, mix the dressing. A simple dressing made from olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt and pepper works particularly well here.
- Drizzle the salad with the dressing. Mix well once – done!
- If desired, you can garnish the salad with additional toppings such as toasted nuts, seeds, fresh herbs or grated cheese to give it the finishing touch. Healthy can be so delicious!