16 Broccoli Rabe Recipes That Prove Just How Versatile This Vegetable Really Is (2024)

FAQs

Why is broccoli rabe so good? ›

Broccoli rabe, also known as rapini, isn't the most well-known vegetable, but that doesn't mean you should count it out. The whole plant is edible, it's extremely easy to cook, and it's loaded with disease-fighting nutrients.

Broccoli rabe is a great source of vitamin A and vitamin C (ascorbic acid), which contribute to good vision and better immunity, respectively. It's also rich in potassium, which is important for regulating blood pressure, and magnesium, which your body uses to produce energy.

While Chinese broccoli and broccolini are both in the same family as the regular old broccoli you're familiar with, broccoli rabe is something else entirely. It's actually more closely related to a turnip, even though it has those little buds, similar to those found on broccoli florets.

Broccoli rabe, known in Italian as rapini, is a green vegetable that looks like leafy broccoli but is more closely related to the turnip. Grown throughout the world, including California, and often featured in Italian food, the entire vegetable is edible and used as a cooking green.

How Do You Reduce the Bitter Taste of Broccoli Rabe? The easiest way to rid broccoli rabe of some of its bitter flavor is by blanching it first. Just a quick dip in boiling water extracts enough of the bitterness and jumpstarts the cooking.

Broccoli rabe's bitter flavor comes from chemical compounds known as glucosinolates, which are found in other bitter greens like kale, collard greens, and mustard greens.

The antioxidants in broccoli rabe can lower the likelihood of cancer. Broccoli rabe can reduce inflammation and oxidative stress in the body. Broccoli rabe has lutein, which works to protect the retinas from damaging free radicals.

Broccoli rabe is actually a distant cousin to the turnip. It's high in vitamins A, C and K, and contains healthy amounts of potassium, iron and calcium.

Broccoli rabe contains 50% more gastrointestinal health boosting fiber than kale. I told you, you may just be sporting a broccoli rabe bag this summer. Orange veggies are awesome, but greens are a good way too to get in the uber antioxidant, Vitamin A, also.

The deliciously bitter stems, leaves, and nutty, broccoli-esque buds are all edible, easy to cook, and often sautéed, braised, and roasted in Italian dishes.

What is the British name for broccoli rabe? ›

Rapini or broccoli rabe (/rɑːb/) is a green cruciferous vegetable, with the leaves, buds, and stems all being edible; the buds somewhat resemble broccoli, but do not form a large head. Rapini is known for its bitter taste, and is particularly associated with Mediterranean cuisine. Vitamin A equiv.

Which is healthier, broccoli rabe or spinach? A. As per the data, we can observe that Vitamin B1 is higher in broccoli rabe. On the other hand, vitamin K, vitamin A, folate, manganese, magnesium, potassium, copper, vitamin C, and iron are higher in spinach.

Broccoli rabe is really at its best when cooked, though nothing should stop you from tossing a few very young leaves into a salad. Its flavor is nutty, similar to mustard or turnip greens, and bitter in varying degrees—it can change depending on your taste buds, how it's prepared, and its age.

Considered a cruciferous vegetable like Brussels sprouts, kale and (of course) broccoli, broccoli rabe is a dark green vegetable in the turnip family. It's sometimes spelled raab and also goes by a few different names: rapini, rapa, rappi, rappone and turnip broccoli.

Store broccoli rabe in a plastic bag in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Trim away the ends of the stems and any wilted leaves. If any of the stems are particularly thick or tough, they can be peeled with a vegetable peeler.

For a quick and easy high-protein meal, sautéed broccoli rabe is the perfect side. Not only does it pair well with a piece of wild salmon or grilled chicken, its high fiber content will keep your digestion humming, which helps with protein absorption and keeps you full.

The entire plant is edible and requires thorough washing and blanching before being cooked. Broccoli rabe can be prepared as a side dish, often to accompany pork-based entrees, or served on sandwiches, pasta, or even pizza and burgers.