3 Review(s)

"Specialty" broccoli varieties include Sprouting Broccoli, Broccolini, and the wonderfully fractal 'Romanesco' broccoli, an Italian heirloom that looks like a broccoli-cauliflower cross.Sprouting broccoli are primitive broccoli plants that were the forerunners of today's heading broccoli. They produce abundant, long side-shoots rather than a large central head. The side shoots are harvested and cooked like asparagus: chopped and sauteed, or brushed with olive oil and grilled.Broccolini is simply a term for broccoli side shoots. Many heading varieties of broccoli will produce a flush of side shoots after the main head is harvested, and these can be harvested and prepared like the sprouting broccoli above. Some varieties, like 'Apollo', produce more side shoots and are the preferred varieties for producing broccolini.‘Early Purple Sprouting’ Broccoli (Heirloom, 65 days) produces abundant, bright purple broccoli shoots. Great in salads, or chopped and sauted in olive oil.