When to Harvest Broccolini – The Best Time 

Knowing when to harvest broccolini is important so you can ensure it will have the most flavor and nutrients. The best time to harvest is once the heads have matured but before they can flower otherwise you will lose the beauty of your vegetables.

Broccolini, cauliflower, and kale are all cruciferous vegetables. They all share a similar nutritional profile with many vitamins and minerals.

The most important difference between these vegetables is that broccoli has a high level of indole-3-carbinol (I3C). I3C is an anti-cancer compound that can prevent cancer from developing in the first place. Broccoli also contains sulforaphane, another potent anti-cancer compound.

Broccolini is a member of the brassica family which includes broccoli, cauliflower, kale, kohlrabi, and cabbage. Created by crossbreeding broccoli and Chinese broccoli. It is very similar to broccoli, however, it has longer, thinner stalks and smaller florets.

Broccolini is very similar to cauliflower as they both have the same size, shape, and taste. The key difference between them is that broccolini is more tender than cauliflower. Broccolini is a cool-weather crop and it is grown in the northern hemisphere.

When to Harvest Broccolini – The Best Time

Broccolini is best harvested when it is young as it will get larger and harder when it grows.  Broccolini takes about 48 to 60 days depending on the type and growing conditions you provide. It is best planted in the spring for the summer harvest.

In some areas, you can plant them in the late summer for a fall harvest. Broccolini is an annual vegetable but it can be grown in cooler climates where broccoli would not grow. In warmer climates, it is grown as a biennial vegetable.

How to Harvest Broccolini

Now that you know when to harvest broccolini, it’s also important to know how to do it.  Broccolini can be harvested in many different ways.

The easiest way to harvest broccolini is to just pick it off. Cutting the stalks with scissors will remove the leaves from the stalk and leave the broccolini intact.

Alternatively, you can cut the stalks at the base with a sharp knife or scissors. This will leave the broccolini intact but cut off the top part of the stalk. 

Broccolini is usually sold in bunches of three, so when harvesting, cut off three bunches and use the scissors to cut the stalks in half.  You may have to do this process a few times before the stems are cut in half.

Once you have cut off the heads of broccolini, you should store them in the refrigerator. Store the broccolini in an airtight container with the stems facing down.

If you are cutting the broccolini into individual pieces, you will need to separate each piece from the rest. Use your hands or a spoon to gently pull the individual pieces out from the bunch. Once you have picked the broccolini, rinse it under cold water and pat dry.

How to Cook Broccolini – When to Harvest Broccolini

You can cook the broccolini by boiling it or sauteing it. To boil the broccolini, add a large amount of water to a pot, bring the water to a boil, and then add the broccolini. Let the broccolini simmer in the water for 5-10 minutes, until the broccolini is cooked through.

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To sautee broccolini, heat one tablespoon of oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the broccolini and cook for 5-7 minutes, until the broccolini is cooked through.

Broccolini is used as a vegetable in several dishes. It is also a popular side dish as it can be cooked in a variety of ways. It is often stir-fried, steamed, or sauteed and can even be used as a pizza topping.

Broccolini can be used to make soup and salads, and it’s sometimes used to make pasta dishes.

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The Benefits of Broccolini – When to Harvest Broccolini

• Broccolini is a nutritious vegetable that is low in calories. It has a low-fat content. The nutritional value of broccolini is comparable to other cruciferous vegetables such as cauliflower and cabbage.
• Broccolini is rich in many vitamins and minerals. It is rich in vitamins A, B6, C, E, K, and folate. It is also rich in manganese, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, iron, zinc, copper, beta-carotene, and fiber.
• Broccolini is an excellent source of vitamin K and vitamin C. Broccolini is best harvested when the heads are mature. It can be harvested from the end of June through the end of August.
• Broccolini is a good source of dietary fiber.
• It is also a good source of omega-3 fatty acids and essential amino acids. It is an excellent source of lysine and methionine.

In Conclusion – When to Harvest Broccolini

The perfect time when to harvest broccolini is when it’s a bit bigger and has more flavourful stems and leaves than it does when it’s just a baby, tender leaf. Broccolini should be harvested in the morning before the sun gets too strong. Keep the leaves and stalks separate and place the leaves in an open plastic bag with a little lemon juice.

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