Nov 16, 2007
Dear Bossy. Holiday Edition.
What is the difference between broccoli, broccoli rabe, Chinese broccoli, and broccolini?
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Broccoli is a cool-season vegetable that’s been around for 2000 years. Especially the Broccoli in Bossy’s local supermarket which is probably a few decades older than that.
Broccoli comes from the Italian word brocco meaning arm branch. Among its relatives are cabbage, Brussels sprouts, and cauliflower.
Broccoli was first grown commercially in the United States in 1920. Which is crazy good timing because a few hours after that, the country celebrated its first episode of food-related flatulence.
Broccoli rabe is related to the turnip and has a pungent flavor. Broccoli rabe is also known as rapini, broccoletti di rape, broccoletto, and that smoky green stuff in the middle of God’s gift to sandwiches.
Chinese Broccoli is not actually Broccoli at all, but rather Chinese Kale and it has a very peppery flavor. Chinese Broccoli is also known as Gai Lan – or #72 with Garlic Sauce and a side of White Rice.
Broccolini is a hybrid vegetable that is a cross between broccoli and Chinese Kale.
Broccolini’s shelf life is longer than traditional broccoli and its stems less woody. In specialty food stores it is sometimes labeled Baby Brocolli – or as Bossy simply refers to it: Baby Brocco Broccoletti Rapini di Gai Lan Broc Broc.
*clapclap* Thanks for the educational healthy post. I love broccolis. And gai lan is heavenly with oyster sauce. Yum yum. Specially Baby Gai Lan!
Vegetables: Those things you have to push aside to reach the meat.
I thought it came from Brocco, meaning “To break wind often after eating.”
Thanks for clearing it up.
And then there’s Tony Broccolinski, the kid who took my virginity in the back of his dad’s Buick Regal.
Yeah, yeah. Let’s talk about cheese.
What about cauliflower? HMMMM?
Bad broccolini is what got hottie tall guy CJ kicked off Top Chef this past season.
*Sigh*
Your post has perfect timing. I just read a restaurant review that discussed Chinese broccoli, and I had no idea what they were referring to. Now I know. I’m curious as to the inspiration for this post.
Wow, I’ve never so much fiber represented in the written word. It is inspiring; not to go eat it, but it inspires me none the less…oops! Gotta go!
what about brocciflower, a mix between broccoli and cauliflower?
If I read a veggie post like this every morning I wouldn’t need one of those exercise balls. But then I read all about Tony Luke’s….I scratched my monitor and I could smell those sandwiches, then I lick my monitor and ….never mind, I’ll stick to my usual breakfast of Mocha Java Chip ice cream.
Oh, Gloria, I never knew anyone could get so excited about any form or broccoli.
Baby Brocco Broccoletti Rapini di Gai Lan Broc Broc
That does simplify things.
I do love me some bossy women!
I love me some broccoli, even more than asparagus, because my pee doesn’t smell after I eat it!
I’m a freak. I LOVE broccoli.
i love all of those variations. there is also a purple broccoli. that is so yummy, too! by the way…broccoli does make pee smell…at least, it makes my kids pee smell…mine always smells like roses!
Broccoli rabe sauteed with a little olive oil, garlic, red pepper flakes and parm and thrown on pasta of any kind is heaven, my fried bossy, just heaven. Thanks for the reminder.
I like broccoli when I can get it in “single person living alone” size. It usually involves clandestinely breaking bunches in half while no one is looking.
I’m with Mrs. G – yum yum. I also like the baby broccoli cooked in a little sesame oil.
Yummmmmmy brocolli.
broccoli?
yeah, spellchecker likes that one better.
but doesn’t like spellchecker.
dammit.
And, does Bossy know how to prepare all of the said items? (besides just ordering #72)?
I have now gotten my vegetable servings out of the way for today.
Also, as a cruciform (sp.? who cares) vegetable, it serves up some terrific gas later (which you can’t blame on the dog because no self-respecting dog will eat broccoli, or any of its bastard cousins).
I had no idea broccoli made one gassy. I always thought it was the cheese fries.
Hee! Have you ever noticed Chinese restaurants that have dishes labeled “Number A” or Number B” etc.? That always cracks me up.
unhhhh! I just went and checked out Tony Luke’s and I am SO VERY jealous of bossy! to have such gastric delights so close…I would never cook again.
once again you’ve lightened up my life. ha ha.
those sandwhiches look like a delish heart attack in a bun.
i would eat them daily…
Awfully tasty for something that smells so very, very much like farts while it is cooking.
We call it broccoli Spicoli.
I think your post just gave me gas.
Ou est le Velveeta??
Do they all have different cabbage loopers in residence or is it pretty much the same caterpillar for all of them?
Your broccoli story made me happy. I owe you.
Diane
Thank you, dear Bossy. I have been wondering this very thing. Next, I’d like to figure out the difference between pancetta, prosciutto, and capicola!
My sister dated a guy named Kale…the vegetable that thinks it’s a flower. That pretty much described him, too;)
Well if you sample all of those in one sitting I shouldn’t care to share the same room as you for a few hours!
Cheers
Thank you for this very educational post.We will now be able to converse intelligently about said broccoli whilst dunking it in cheese and/or ranch dip..LOL
Bossy forgot Romanesco broccoli. It’s prettier than normal broccoli.
How about asparagus? The vegetable that makes your piss smell like the musk of a feral cat? Now THERE is a vegetable for you!
Informative and vile. (the veggie, not the post.) All I knew about broccoli before this was what I learned from Dana Carvey’s song…
Thanks for clearing up the mystery of Broccoli and all of its subsidiaries.
Excuse me while I vomit. Not a fan of all that green stuff.
Your brain would be a scary place in which to get lost.
And, Broccolini. Yum
Thank you for straightening this out-I was LOL and spit out my coffee after reading the #72 thingy!
only bossy would get 42 comments on broccoli.
i love you lady come over for my last gin and tonic.