• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Dirt Diva Diaries logo with roots at the bottom of the letters and flowers/leaves coming out the top

Dirt Diva Diaries

Grow Your Own Way

  • How To Guides
    • Herbs
    • Fruits
    • Vegetables
    • Supplies and Technical Guides
  • Resources
    • Gardening Terms
    • Plant Index
    • Products
    • Our Books
  • Ivy’s Diary
  • Get My Free Stuff!
  • Show Search
Hide Search

Broccolini

Broccolini vegetable

Broccolini: The Sweet and Tender Broccoli Cousin

Broccolini, also known as baby broccoli or asparation, is a delightful hybrid of broccoli and Chinese kale. It boasts long, slender stems, small florets, and a sweet, mild flavor that sets it apart from its broccoli cousin. This versatile veggie is delicious and packed with nutrients, making it a fantastic addition to any meal. Its tender stems and florets cook quickly, making it a convenient and healthy option for busy cooks.

This vibrant green vegetable is gaining popularity for its delicate flavor and ease of preparation. Whether you roast, steam, or stir-fry it, broccolini brings a touch of elegance and nutrition to your plate. Let’s explore everything you need to know about growing and enjoying this wonderful veggie.

Why Grow Broccolini?

  • Sweet and Mild Flavor: Offers a sweeter, less bitter taste than traditional broccoli.
  • Tender Stems: The entire stalk is edible, reducing waste.
  • Quick Cooking: Cooks faster than broccoli, saving you time.
  • Nutrient-rich: Packed with vitamins A, C, and K, as well as fiber and antioxidants.
  • Versatile in Cooking: Suitable for a variety of cooking methods.
  • Continuous Harvest: Can provide multiple harvests over a more extended period.

How to Eat Broccolini?

  • Roasted: Roasting brings out its natural sweetness and crispness.
  • Steamed: Gentle steaming retains its tender texture and nutrients.
  • Stir-Fried: A quick and easy way to enjoy broccolini with garlic and ginger.
  • Grilled: Grilling adds a smoky flavor and char.
  • Sautéed: Sautéing with olive oil and garlic enhances its flavor.
  • Blanched: A quick blanching keeps it crisp and vibrant for salads.

Growing Broccolini

Broccolini is an annual that thrives in cool weather. It prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained, fertile soil. Here’s a quick guide to growing it:

  • Planting: Sow seeds directly into the garden or start them indoors 4-6 weeks before the last frost. Plant seeds about ½ inch deep and 2 inches apart. Thin seedlings to 6-8 inches apart once they have a few true leaves.
  • Watering: Keep the soil moist, especially during hot, dry periods. Mulching can help retain moisture.
  • Fertilizing: Use a balanced fertilizer or compost before planting. Side-dress with nitrogen-rich fertilizer every 3-4 weeks.
  • Light: Broccolini prefers full sun (6-8 hours) but can tolerate partial shade.
  • Harvesting: Harvest when the florets are tight and the stems are tender. Cut the central head first, and side shoots will continue to produce.

Tips and Tricks

  • Succession Planting: Plant seeds every 2-3 weeks for a continuous harvest.
  • Prevent Bolting: To prevent bolting (premature flowering), keep the soil consistently moist and avoid planting during the hottest parts of the year.
  • Pest Control: Watch out for aphids, cabbage worms, and slugs. If necessary, use organic pest control methods.
  • Companion Planting: Plant with herbs like rosemary and sage to deter pests.
  • Cold Frames: Cold frames protect the plants from hard frosts, extending the growing season.

Broccolini Cuisine

Broccolini is incredibly versatile and shines in simple, flavorful dishes. Here’s a quick and easy roasted broccolini recipe:

  • Roasted Broccolini with Garlic and Lemon:
    • Ingredients:
      • 1 pound broccolini, trimmed
      • 2 cloves garlic, minced
      • 2 tablespoons olive oil
      • 1 lemon, juiced
      • Salt and pepper to taste
    • Instructions:
      1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
      2. Toss broccolini with olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper on a baking sheet.
      3. Roast for 15-20 minutes, or until tender-crisp and lightly browned.
      4. Drizzle with lemon juice before serving.

Nutritional Value

(Based on USDA FoodData Central, per 100g raw broccolini)

  • Calories: 35
  • Protein: 2.5g
  • Fat: 0.3g
  • Carbohydrates: 4.8g
  • Fiber: 3.3g
  • Vitamin A: 147 mcg
  • Vitamin C: 65 mg
  • Vitamin K: 100 mcg
  • Calcium: 47 mg
  • Folate: 63 mcg

Summary and Conclusion

Broccolini is a fantastic and easy-to-grow vegetable that brings a touch of sweetness and tenderness to your garden and kitchen. Its mild flavor and quick cooking time make it a go-to veggie for busy gardeners and cooks alike. Whether you’re roasting, steaming, or stir-frying, broccolini offers a delightful and nutritious addition to any meal. Embrace the joy of growing your own fresh greens and enjoy the delicious rewards of this wonderful vegetable. Happy gardening!

Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as health, wellness or nutrition advice. Please see our full disclaimers here.

 

« Back to Glossary Index

Written by:
Kevin Mansoor
Published on:
March 10, 2025

Primary Sidebar

I want FREE stuff

I want personalized freebies to help me on my gardening journey!


Search our site

Recent Adventures

someone using horticultural oil spray to protect their garden

Horticultural Oil Spray: Your Go-To for Healthy, Happy Plants

Horticultural oil is a time-tested and environmentally conscious solution for managing various pests …

Continue Reading about Horticultural Oil Spray: Your Go-To for Healthy, Happy Plants

Explore more

Newsletter Sign Up For a Free Gardening Book

Dirt Diva Diaries in a custom logo font with flowers and roots coming out of the letters

Footer

Dirt Diva Diaries

Grow Your Own Way

Copyright © 2025 · All Rights Reserved · Dirt Diva Diaries

Check Us Out on Social Media

InstagramFacebookPinterestThreads
  • About Dirt Diva Diaries
  • Get My Free Stuff!
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Affiliate & Health Disclosures
  • Opt-out preferences
Manage Consent
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
Manage options Manage services Manage {vendor_count} vendors Read more about these purposes
View preferences
{title} {title} {title}