Nutrition
I admit, I’ve never thought much about broccoli stems before. For years I’ve whacked the florets off with a large kitchen knife and tossed the seemingly inedible scraps into the compost.
Last night though, a remnant pineapple crown and broken egg shells from Sunday morning brunch left me with an overflowing compost bucket. Something about this predicament got me wondering what, if any, nutritional value broccoli stems might have. Based on color alone, I guessed similar to iceberg lettuce -essentially crunchy water, perhaps with a bit more fiber.
Boy was I wrong!
Broccoli stems, though not as colorful nor flavorful as their more desired florets, are just as nutritious. Actually, gram for gram, the stems contain slightly more calcium, iron and Vitamin C. No seriously. The dark green florets only provide more Vitamin A.
How did I get through life never knowing this before? I’m still shaking my head thinking of all of those nutrients I’ve tossed away over the years, and obviously dreaming of recipes to use up my future stems.
Broccoli stems: Do you eat, compost or trash them? Got any yummy recipes to share? I’m loving some of these ideas!
