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    Home » Cooking Tips & Helpful How-Tos

    Updated: May 2, 2023 by Gustavo De Obaldia

    Broccoli and Cauliflowers: How to Cook and Keep the Colors

    We love having unique, colorful, and seasonal veggies around. Look what I found today! This beautiful and Colorful Broccoli and Cauliflowers!

    colorful broccoli and cauliflowers

    Remember, the more colors on your plate, the more nutritious your meal is.

    We all eat with our eyes first, which is how to make it!

    colorful broccoli and cauliflowers

    TIP

    Steam your vegetables to keep their colors. Then, put them into cool running water to stop the cooking process.

    Avoid boiling them; you will preserve the color and the nutrients because they will not be leached into the boiling water.

    You can also simply roast cauliflower and cook it with spices as we do in our Indian Cauliflower Curry and our Whole Roasted Seasoned Cauliflower.

    purple cauliflower

    If you still boil them, cook them in boiling salted water for a few minutes, take them out, and cool them immediately in iced water.

    colorful broccoli and cauliflowers

    Where was broccoli first found?

    Broccoli was first found in Italy during the Roman Empire. The broccoli plant grew wild along the coast of the Italian peninsula and was introduced to Sicily by way of Arab trade. It was known in mainland Europe by the 14th century when it began to be cultivated.

    How broccoli was first used?

    Broccoli was first used as medicine. People boiled broccoli and drank it for lung diseases, fevers, and lichen disease. Today broccoli is still used as medicine but not so frequently because broccoli has many calories and people want to avoid gaining weight.

    How is broccoli cultivated?

    how does broccoli grow? broccoli grows by planting the broccoli seed into the ground with enough sunlight and water for growth. broccoli plants are green because of the chlorophyll inside broccoli. broccoli is one of the healthiest veggies to eat because broccoli has lots of vitamins and nutrients.

    Which is healthier – Steaming or Boiling Broccoli and Cauliflowers

    As steaming doesn’t rob the vegetables of their essential nutrients, it is advisable to steam the vegetables instead of boiling them. However, before you steam the vegetables, make sure you wash them in the right way to remove harmful chemicals from the surface. 

    broccoli and verza

    The shared benefits of Broccoli and Cauliflower

    • Both are filled with lots of essential minerals and vitamins that are extremely important for the body.
    • They contain potent antioxidants that offer health-protective effects
    • They may protect against certain types of cancer

    These cruciferous vegetables are highly nutritious and, as Science Says, are amongst the 3 of the Healthiest Foods You Can Eat. They have a lot of beneficial, healthy properties and very few calories.

    Additional benefits of Broccoli

    1. Bioactive Compounds May Contribute to Reduced Inflammation
    2. Antioxidants and Fiber May Aid Blood Sugar Control
    3. May Support Heart Health in a Variety of Ways
    4. Promotes Healthy Digestion and Reduced Constipation
    5. May Slow Mental Decline and Support Healthy Brain Function
    6. May Help Slow the Aging Process
    7. Vitamin C Content Supports a Healthy Immune System
    8. May Support Dental and Oral Health
    9. May Promote Healthy Bones and Joints
    10. Nutrient Content May Support a Healthy Pregnancy
    11. May Protect Your Skin From Sun Damage
    broccoli florets

    Additional Benefits of Cauliflower

    1. Cauliflower is high in fiber, which is beneficial for overall health.
    2. May Aid in Weight Loss
    3. It is a Low-Carb Alternative to Grains and Legumes
    4. Easy to Add to Your Diet can be eaten raw, steamed, roasted, or sauteed.
    5. High in Choline plays a significant role in maintaining the integrity of cell membranes, synthesizing brain development, and promoting a healthy nervous system.

    Read on: Chickpea Avocado and Raw Broccoli Salad

    Cauliflower

    Want to know more about the benefits of these two great vegetables?

    Learn how to roast a whole cauliflower head with only three ingredients! The perfect side dish to impress your guests!

    Cauliflower recipes:

    • Spiced Roasted Cauliflower
    • Vegan Cauliflower Wings
    • Vegan Stuffed Pasta Shells
    • Cauliflower Steaks
    Electric Vegetable Steamer
    V

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    1. Taly says

      July 08, 2021 at 3:41 pm

      me encantaron los colores!
      super útil la información que brindan, gracias!!!

      Reply
      • Gus says

        August 01, 2021 at 10:52 am

        Si! Nosotros habíamos visto algunos de estos cuando vivimos en México, pero era una cosa rara. Había que buscarlos en los mercados orgánicos. En Italia es fácil encontrarlos en cualquier supermercado! Es fundamental cocinarlos mínimamene para que no pierdan sus colores vivos!

        Reply

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