Roasted Broccolini

Roasted broccolini is a delicious crispy and mildly sweet leafy green vegetable. It has lean stems, and the florets resemble broccoli a lot. For those who don’t like broccoli for whatever reason, broccolini is the next best choice. That’s because this leafy green is loaded with nutrients and is very tasteful as well.

Being on a vegan diet means you have to consume more vegetables to get your daily requirement of nutrients, minerals, and protein. Several vegetables are a must to add to your daily diet. Repeating the same vegetables can be boring. So, why not try different and unique vegetables.

Broccolini is one such amazing leafy green vegetable that is known for its unique flavor and appearance. It is actually a crossbreed between broccoli and Chinese broccoli. Well, whoever came up with this vegetable, we bow down to them because of its unique texture, mildly sweet flavor, and health benefits. This vegetable is a great side. You can add it to your dishes along with other vegetables to enjoy its many benefits.

Here is everything you need to know about this amazingly unique leafy green vegetable. However, you will also love Roasted Beet With Chimichurri Sauce, Roasted Zucchini And Squash, and Roasted White Sweet Potatoes.

What is Broccolini?

From the first look, most people will think broccolini is a baby version of broccoli. Well, as much as it seems true, the only relation the two have is the fact that they belong to the same Brassica family. Apart from that, the two are different. Types Of Broccoli.

Broccolini results from a crossbreed between two types of broccoli, i.e., the regular broccoli and the Chinese broccoli. Broccolini gets its head from the regular broccoli, whereas the leaves and stalk come from the Chinese broccoli.

Broccolini has a somewhat crunchy texture, thanks to the stalk. As for its taste, broccolini sits right in the middle of broccoli and Chinese broccoli, and its flavor is less bitter and more on the sweet side. So, we can say that it looks quite like broccoli, but it gets the taste mainly from the Chinese broccoli.

Difference between broccolini and broccoli rabe

Most people confuse broccoli rabe with broccolini. And why not? The two look more or less alike. For someone who doesn’t have much information, you can easily pick broccoli rabe for broccolini. However, despite their similar appearances, the two are different leafy greens. Here are a few differences that set the two vegetables apart from each other:

• Broccoli rabe comes from the turnip family, whereas broccolini is from the Brassica family.
• Where broccolini is a crossmatch between two leafy greens, broccoli rabe is a natural vegetable.
• Broccoli rabe has thin stems, and the florets are small. In contrast, the stalks of broccolini are lean and long. The florets, however, resemble broccoli a lot but are small in size.
• As for the flavors, broccoli rabe has a bitter flavor, whereas broccolini has a mildly sweet taste.

Health benefits of broccolini

Because broccolini is a crossbreed between two vegetables, you get the nutritional value from leafy greens. Broccolini is jam-packed with nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. As a result, it offers several health benefits, also check out the Health Benefits Of Broccoli. Here are some of the prominent benefits of broccolini:

• Broccolini is loaded with vitamin A and D. As a result, it offers several benefits to your health and body. Both the vitamins promote immunity buildup. Where vitamin D promotes bone and muscle health in the body, vitamin A protects your eyes and vision, and it also promotes the proper working of the organs.
• Broccolini is rich in magnesium. As a result, it regulates blood pressure, and thus, it protects the heart against several diseases.
• It is also rich in calcium, thus promoting bone health.
• Broccolini also has fibre in it. Therefore, it promotes a healthy gut, relieves constipation, and lowers the sugar level in the blood.
• It is often linked to detoxification and also promotes the balancing of hormones.
• It also has autoinflammatory and anti-cancer properties.
• Lastly, it is also rich in plant-based protein.

Ingredient Breakdown

This roasted broccolini recipe is made using only four ingredients. It is a very simple recipe that you can prepare in no time. All the ingredients are available in every kitchen pantry, so this recipe is very convenient as well. Here is what you will need for this broccolini recipe:

• Broccolini: The main ingredient is broccolini. You can easily get it from any grocery store. When buying broccolini, make sure you choose fresh produce. You will have to keep three things in mind. Firstly, the base of the broccolini should be fresh and not dry. Secondly, the stems should be firm to touch and shouldn’t have soft or rubbery spots. Lastly, the heads shouldn’t have flowers on them.
• Olive Oil: A little olive oil doesn’t just provide healthy fats but will also help in making the broccolini crispy. You can choose avocado oil instead of olive oil as well.
• Garlic Powder: Garlic powder is an amazing ingredient that is loaded with savory and garlicky flavor. You can use onion powder instead of garlic powder as well. Furthermore, you can mix the two also.
• Salt: Salt will balance out the flavors.

How to make Roasted Broccolini?

Making broccolini is effortless and easy. You can get it done in just 20 minutes. Here are simple steps you have to follow:

Step 1: Start by preparing broccolini. For that, you will have to wash it and let it dry a bit. The best way to do that is by placing it in a colander or strainer. Let the water drip off. Next, trim off the ends, about an inch.

Step 2: Next, prepare the baking tray. You can do that by lining it with parchment paper.

Step 3: Once the broccolini is dry, place it on the prepared baking sheet. Make sure you spread it evenly, and it doesn’t overlap.

Step 4: Drizzle olive oil on the broccolini, and sprinkle garlic powder and salt. Give it a quick toss so that the broccolini is evenly coated with the oil and seasoning.

Step 5: Place the baking tray in a preheated oven at 400-degree F for 15 minutes or until it gets a brown color and the broccolini is crunchy.

Step 6: Serve.

Variations

There are so many ingredients you can use to season broccolini. Here are a few ideas for you to try:

• Lemon juice: You can add acidity and tanginess to the broccolini by drizzling it with lemon juice.
• Italian herbs: Italian herbs like dried oregano, thyme, rosemary, basil, tarragon, etc., are aromatic and very flavorful.
• Paprika/red chili flakes: For spice and heat, add smoked paprika, cayenne, pr red chili flakes. You can add black pepper as well.
• Soy sauce: If you love the umami flavor, the best ingredient to use is soy sauce, and it has a unique salty flavor of its own.
• Vegan cheese: Sprinkle vegan cheese on top just before serving to bring is more flavor.

Can you store Roasted Broccolini?

Yes, you can store the leftover roasted broccolini. Once it cools down, store it in an airtight container and refrigerate. It will last for up to 3 days in the refrigerator, and you can reheat it in the oven to ensure crispiness.

Furthermore, you can also freeze roasted broccolini. Once it is roasted and cools down, place it on a baking tray. Make sure it doesn’t overlap each other. Flash freeze for 3 hours. Next, store it in a freezer-safe container or a plastic Ziplock bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. You can reheat it in the oven without having to wait for it to thaw.

What to serve Roasted Broccolini with?

Roasted broccolini is a great side dish to your main course. Furthermore, you can also serve it in your salad or top your vegan pasta with it. Roasted broccolini is a very versatile ingredient, and there are so many different ways you can enjoy it. All you have to do is get a bit creative. The crunch and unique flavor will open many doors of your imagination.

If you don’t have broccolini, try some of these amazing Vegan Broccoli recipes:

1. Broccoli Curry
2. Air Fryer Frozen Broccoli
3. Broccoli Fritters
4. Gluten-Free Broccoli Cheese Casserole
5. Tofu Broccoli Skillet

If you enjoyed this post and would love to see more, join me on Youtube, Instagram, Facebook & Twitter!