Sprouting broccoli

We usually grow sprouting broccoli, which looks more like the broccolini than the regular big stems that we normally see in the supermarket. I often wonder if broccolini is just the commercial name for sprouting broccoli. I like the sprouting broccoli because it can be picked similar to a perpetual lettuce, where florets can be picked as needed and the plant continues to grow.

They are great in steamed or in stirfry. When the florets start to open into the little flowers, they add some colour to the dish. And with so much nutrients in the stems, we actually end up eating more stem with sprouting broccoli.

My children love broccoli, and the idea of eating flowers is rather exciting. My daughter is in kindergarten and has decided that she wants to bring in some of her amazing edible broccoli flowers in for her news at school. I love that she finds these things exciting (and tasty!) and wants to share them with her classmates.