Broccoli Blues - what to do with the stalks?

Jolaaled

One of the few 'green' veggies that my kids will eat, is Broccoli..so we have quite a bit of it.

But, whenever i buy it, i end up cutting off this HUGE stalk and sticking it on the compost..seems a dreadful waste....and

i'm sure that the greengrocers like to leave the maximum length, so the extra weight also has to be paid for.

Weight for weight, the stalks on each 'bunch' of broccoli seem to be heavier that the part we actually end up eating..


Question is:
is the stalk edible??
What can i do with it to make if more palatable??

thanks

apprentice_tycoon

There are 2 ways to deal with this, either treat the stalk as a completely different vegetable and eat it on another day cut into fingers, steamed with a little melted butter and black pepper or you can puree the head and stalk with a couple of tablespoons of cream or yogurt and a little of the cooking liquid, this is great for non-broccoli eaters, the flavour is very mild.
You can use a little hand blender so it's not a major washing up job afterwards

newleaf

I'd chop it up and put it in soup.

the_other_mce

I heard that you can cut/break the stalk off before you buy the brocolli - quite legally). I do try it sometimes and no-one has ever stopped me. I wonder if anyone could let me know whether this is true or not?
I also hate paying for stalk that I am going to throw away!!!

thriftlady_2

There was a similar question a few weeks ago. I hadn't realised that people didn'teat it ! I just cut the florets apart leaving long stalks on and cook as normal. I also peel it and grate it for coleslaw or dice it finely for stir fries, or slice it thinly across the stalk for stir fries.

Jolaaled

thanks for all your ideas...brilliant.

I feel really daft for not using the stalks before...and i pride myself on being such an o/s scrooge, usually! (now very embarrassed!!).

Pink.

I keep a container in the freezer for the bits of vegetables that I don't use (brocolli and cauliflower stalks, ends of carrots and cabbages etc). When the container is full, then I use them to make vegetable stock.

Jolaaled, don't feel daft! I hadn't realised you could cook it before now....even though I do nibble at it sometimes while I'm waiting for the brocolli florets to cook.

Pink

V.Lucky

I think the stalks are the best bit!! I leave the stalk on as thriftlady does - love it!!

Have to say when I have guests and do it like that they cut it off and leave it on the plate!

thriftlady_2

Pink-winged wrote:

I keep a container in the freezer for the bits of vegetables that I don't use (brocolli and cauliflower stalks, ends of carrots and cabbages etc). When the container is full, then I use them to make vegetable stock.

Pink

Ooh, good idea. Do you just collect raw veg or do you put in leftover cooked veg too ?

Pink.

thriftlady wrote:

Ooh, good idea. Do you just collect raw veg or do you put in leftover cooked veg too ?

I only do raw, but that's only because I'm lucky enough to have kids who are are hungry gannets who love vegetables....so there are never any left over. I don't see any reason why leftovers couldn't go in there as well.

Pink

Smashing

I always eat the stalk...it's my favourite bit.
Send them my way.