How to Clean Broccoli Using 3 Simple Methods

Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica) is an edible member of the cabbage family that shares many characteristics with its close relative, cauliflower. Other close relatives include Brussels sprouts, kale, and collards. Broccoli rabe (also called rapini) is a leafy, cruciferous vegetable that is a cultivar of Brassica rapa. It is more closely related to turnips than to broccoli.

Both fresh broccoli and cooked broccoli come packed with nutrients including vitamin C, vitamin K, folate, and manganese. It also contains somewhat more protein than most vegetables, which makes it relatively filling.

Like all fresh vegetables, fresh broccoli can arrive in your kitchen carrying contaminants. These include pests like aphids, green caterpillars, and broccoli worms (a type of cabbage worm). They may also carry pesticides, which are a food safety hazard when consumed in excess. Consider three great ways to clean fresh broccoli before your next meal.

1. 1. Under running water: The simplest way to wash broccoli (or any fresh produce) is to hold it under running water. Use a colander to hold your broccoli florets and then pick up each floret individually to rub dirt or insects out of the crevices in each broccoli head.
2. 2. Submerged in water: You can soak broccoli in water for five to ten minutes to give it a proper wash. Simply fill a large bowl or plug a clean sink with a stopper and fill it up with water. Both cold water and warm water will work for this purpose, but avoid using hot water to clean broccoli. You will still need to rinse the broccoli in running water once you are done soaking the broccoli.
3. 3. In a white vinegar solution: If you know your broccoli heads have aphids or cabbage worms, you can kill them with a solution that is ten percent white vinegar and ninety percent water. Either load this concoction into a spray bottle and aim it into the crevices of the broccoli florets, or let the broccoli soak in the solution for a few minutes.

Once you have cleaned your broccoli, blot it dry with a paper towel. You are now ready to use it in a recipe.

1. 1. Raw, in salads: Chopped-up broccoli florets pair nicely with leafy greens. Try adding some raw broccoli (or steamed broccoli) in a Greek salad with lettuce, tomatoes, Kalamata olives, red onion, and feta cheese.
2. 2. In a stir-fry: Broccoli adds flavor, texture, and nutrition to a stir-fry. Before throwing broccoli into a wok or frying pan, try blanching it first. When you blanch broccoli, you lock in its bright green color. Blanch florets in boiling water for three minutes, or steam them for five minutes. Then submerge them in cold water for an equal length of time. The broccoli is now ready to mix into a stir-fry.
3. 3. Steamed, as a side dish: Many home chefs opt to cook broccoli as a side dish that accompanies roasted meat or garlicky pasta. In this case, you can simply steam the broccoli for five to seven minutes and serve with salt and pepper to taste.
4. 4. Roasted, as an appetizer: Roast chopped-up broccoli florets in the oven for a delicious appetizer that tastes great with dips. Toss the florets in a mixture of olive oil and lemon juice and then lay them out in a single layer on a baking sheet. Roast the florets at 450 degrees Fahrenheit for twenty-five minutes or until you see char on the florets.

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