With the arrival of the autumn season, they also return cabbages, broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables, very tasty vegetables but above all healthy and rich in precious nutrients. In addition to being a true concentrate of vitamins (such as C and K), minerals and antioxidants, they are known for their beneficial contribution to health. But do you know what is the best way to wash them and remove any hidden parasites? Today we reveal some simple but effective tricks for clean them thoroughly.
Why it is important to wash broccoli and cabbage well
Broccoli, especially organic or untreated ones (which we strongly recommend you choose), have a small flower structure and a compact consistency. This makes them perfect for hiding tiny unwanted guests, such as caterpillars, worms and small parasites. Among the most common is the cruciferous moth (Plutella xylostella), a small butterfly whose larvae can settle between the leaves. Even if they are not dangerous for your health, it is always better to eliminate them before consumption for reasons of hygiene.
Nothing serious or dangerous for our health but certainly unpleasant considering that we eat vegetables. It is therefore better to wash the broccoli carefully to eliminate any presence of “guests”, some of which may even be imperceptible to the human eye. It is not enough to simply rinse the broccoli under running water after briefly cleaning it. If you want to be sure to eliminate all traces of worms and parasites you have to take a few more steps (but nothing challenging).
How to choose fresh broccoli
First of all, get into the habit of buying organic broccoli and learn to choose it fresh. How? Just look at the color which must be dark green. However, avoid broccoli that is yellowish or shows bruised parts, as this could indicate that it is past its sweet spot.
How to wash broccoli correctly
Before washing them, cut the hardest part of the stem and divide the rest of the broccoli. Cut the stem lengthwise and in the center into smaller pieces to form many small “trees”, taking care to eliminate any discolored or damaged parts.
You then have to put everything in a basin filled with 3 cups of water and 1 cup of vinegar. Alternatively you can use a teaspoon of salt for every 2 liters of water.
Let the broccoli rest in the solution for at least 10 minutes but better for about 20, then rinse with cold water. If you have it at home, use a soft bristle brush to clean your broccoli even better under water.
Finally, all that remains is to cook them, to keep all the nutritional properties of these precious cruciferous vegetables intact it is preferable to choose steam cooking which is ideal for preserving the nutritional properties of broccoli and cabbage as much as possible. In this way, you prevent the vitamins from dispersing into the water and you can enjoy all their beneficial effects. Cook them for about 5-7 minutes, until they are tender, but still crunchy.
Zero waste recipes: use the stems too!
Did you know that nothing about broccoli is thrown away? The stems, often discarded, can be transformed into a perfect base for a delicious pesto. Here is a simple recipe for an anti-waste pesto:
Nothing of the broccoli is thrown away! How to reuse waste to season pasta at no cost
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