Broccoli Stems

Tim_Veal
Tim_Veal Posts: 27 Member
edited November 22 in Food and Nutrition
Does anybody have advice on how to enjoy broccoli stems? My whole life I've been cutting off and eating the flower, and throwing the stems in the compost. Time to learn to love these!

Replies

  • kommodevaran
    kommodevaran Posts: 17,890 Member
    Just eat them. If you eat the broccoli raw, you may have to peel it.
  • janejellyroll
    janejellyroll Posts: 25,763 Member
    If I'm doing stir-fry or something with cooked broccoli, I will often just slice the stems and throw them in with the broccoli. If it's a soup or puree, I cook them alongside the florets and blend them. I will sometimes julienne them and eat them lightly dressed as a salad too. @kommodevaran is right that peeling them often helps.
  • HASWLRS
    HASWLRS Posts: 8,001 Member
    I'll slice them up thin and steam with the flowers. I bet they would work nicely in a stir fry.
  • nickssweetheart
    nickssweetheart Posts: 874 Member
    Peel off the exterior, and stir fry with garlic, ginger, and oyster (or faux-oyster) sauce. They will take longer to become tender than the florets, but are delicious and I really like the difference in texture.
  • quiksylver296
    quiksylver296 Posts: 28,439 Member
    Broccoli slaw. So yummy.
  • ConnieAGinther
    ConnieAGinther Posts: 515 Member
    I put broccoli in stir fry with peas, mushrooms, bell peppers, sweet potatoes, zucchini and squash.
  • love2bfit2017
    love2bfit2017 Posts: 5 Member
    TeaBea wrote: »
    Creamy broccoli soup. Shred into small pieces and use in slaws & salads. They are going to have the same flavor, but the texture can be a bit tough.

    And u can make that creamy broccoli soup creamy w the help of cauliflower! Double bonus!
  • RuNaRoUnDaFiEld
    RuNaRoUnDaFiEld Posts: 5,864 Member
    I've just had turkey chilli with them in.

    You just chop it small then cook it any way you like.
  • Thehardmakesitworthit
    Thehardmakesitworthit Posts: 838 Member
    The key for me was cutting them in thin slices....yum to all the ideas above!
  • daytonajan
    daytonajan Posts: 1 Member
    I just do a light peel of the stem to remove the bumpy areas and they are tender and delicious! I eat raw and steamed.
  • PWRLFTR1
    PWRLFTR1 Posts: 324 Member
    Get a dog. I hate the stems, so I give them to my dog, she loves them.
  • DX2JX2
    DX2JX2 Posts: 1,921 Member
    Peel them and cook them like the rest of the broccoli. They're my favorite part, especially when roasted (they get super sweet and nutty).
  • sgt1372
    sgt1372 Posts: 3,997 Member
    DX2JX2 wrote: »
    Peel them and cook them like the rest of the broccoli

    ^This!

    It's a waste to throw the stem away. You're just throwing away $ if you do.
  • crabbybrianna
    crabbybrianna Posts: 344 Member
    I peel them and eat them raw or sometimes I steam them. They’re my favourite part of the broccoli.
  • Mouse_Potato
    Mouse_Potato Posts: 1,512 Member
    It's so fascinating to me to read how different people view food around here. I've spent my life trying to learn to eat the flower part without making faces. I love the stems!
  • Tim_Veal
    Tim_Veal Posts: 27 Member
    Thanks everybody for your ideas. I won't be throwing away broccoli stems anymore!
  • mjbnj0001
    mjbnj0001 Posts: 1,268 Member
    TeaBea wrote: »
    Creamy broccoli soup. Shred into small pieces and use in slaws & salads. They are going to have the same flavor, but the texture can be a bit tough.

    just made a pot of broccoli soup for lunch and dinner. once they're pureed, the stems are just as good a part of the soup as the flowers.

    i often snack on the stems when using broccoli as a component in other dishes. i like the crunch.
  • corinasue1143
    corinasue1143 Posts: 7,464 Member
    They're my favorite part. Look for broccoli with lots of chunky stems at the grocery. Peel them and sauté them in 1 tsp to 1 tbsp real butter. Tender, mild, and no seeds stuck in my teeth!
  • jgnatca
    jgnatca Posts: 14,464 Member
    I am also a fan of peeling and munching raw. So tender with a more delicate flavour.
  • callsitlikeiseeit
    callsitlikeiseeit Posts: 8,626 Member
    i see no need to eat them. but i dont like broccoli much anyways. LOL
  • barbp7
    barbp7 Posts: 22 Member
    Boil & cube. Salad with cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, Italian dressing, feta.
  • tracymarie2012
    tracymarie2012 Posts: 164 Member
    I pay for all of it...i eat all of it. I just skin it. Use it just like any vegetable. Great in stirfrys.
  • ladyreva78
    ladyreva78 Posts: 4,080 Member
    Don't mind me... just taking notes on some of the amazing ideas.

    I :heart: broccoli stems!

  • amtyrell
    amtyrell Posts: 1,447 Member
    Growing up we called it trees (flower part)vs coins(sliced stem). Slice them into disks and prep exactly like you would the tree portion. I particularly like coins sauteed or steamed .I prefer trees roasted as the leafy bits brown nicer. Also coins are great for dips.
  • jamespatten3576
    jamespatten3576 Posts: 71 Member
    Haven't tried it yet, but I seen on YouTube where they spiralized the stem into noodles the same as like a zucchini
  • cizzawizza
    cizzawizza Posts: 69 Member
    I love them. I slice them up to stir fry with chilli and garlic. I try not to use oil whilst cooking so I tend to mix up a small piece of stock (I use low salt stock cubes) with a small amount of boiling water and chuck it all into a pan. I have this as a side vegetable or I'll add cooked brown rice and have it as a main meal.

    I'm hungry for broccoli now :D
  • fldiver97
    fldiver97 Posts: 341 Member
    Shredded raw, add some shredded carrots and if you like some shredded cabbage, make broccoli slaw . I often add some dried cranberries or dried cherries , red chopped onion and make my own nondairy dressing. Love it!
  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,263 Member
    Anything you cook with broccoli, slice the stems (I like them sliced vertically) and then toss them in.
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