In case you needed to guess, you’d most likely say that, out of all of the greens, broccoli rabe is most intently associated to broccoli. However truly, regardless of its shiny inexperienced stalks and florets, this fashionable Italian vegetable is extra like a turnip. For this reason, in Italian, it’s referred to as cime di rapa, which implies “turnip greens.”
However similar to its not-so-identical twin, broccoli rabe, which can also be generally known as rapini, is extremely nutrient-dense. And it additionally has that magic skill to take any scrumptious recipe to the subsequent degree by way of style and texture. Intrigued? Discover seven tasty methods to cook dinner broccoli rabe under.
What’s broccoli rabe?
Broccoli rabe is definitely confused with broccolini, nevertheless it’s truly utterly completely different from the Japanese vegetable. Whereas each have lengthy, inexperienced stalks with inexperienced buds on the finish, broccolini is a product of the broccoli household (it’s a mix of broccoli and Chinese language broccoli), whereas broccoli rabe is intently associated to turnips.
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However the variations don’t finish there. Broccoli rabe additionally has a extra distinctive style than broccolini, which is subtly candy. The flavour is bolder and a little bit bitter, very similar to turnip greens, for instance. For this reason it’s a preferred ingredient in Italian delicacies—it brings a depth of taste to many alternative pasta dishes, for instance.
Is broccoli rabe as nutritious as broccoli?
Each broccoli and broccoli rabe are nutrient-dense greens. Each are excessive in vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin Ok, and fiber, for instance, which is important for supporting digestive and intestine well being. However whereas broccoli is an efficient supply of folate, broccoli rabe has a better content material of calcium and iron.
Connoisseurus Veg
Like most plant-based components, broccoli rabe and broccoli additionally comprise an abundance of antioxidants and phytochemicals. These are potent plant compounds that assist scale back irritation and deal with free radical harm within the physique, which, in flip, helps scale back the danger of continual illnesses.
7 vegan-friendly recipes with broccoli rabe
Broccoli rabe could be cooked in many alternative methods. You’ll be able to bake it, fry it, sauté it, steam it, or air-fry it, relying in your desire. For cooking inspiration, discover a few of our favourite broccoli rabe recipes under, from orecchiette to mac and cheese.
Allyson Kramer
1 Vegan Buttery Broccoli Rabe Almondine
The bitterness of broccoli rabe is balanced out superbly by the candy almond sauce on this scrumptious recipe. It’s nourishing, filled with taste, and is assured to impress your pals and family members at your subsequent potluck.
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The First Mess
2 Broccoli Rabe and Chive Pesto Orecchiette
Orecchiette and chive pesto are the proper accompaniment for broccoli rabe, as this recipe from The First Mess demonstrates. “[It’s] a recent and flavorful meal with plenty of satisfying texture,” notes recipe developer Laura Wright. Crispy chickpeas and a scrumptious dairy-free sunflower parmesan cheese take it to the subsequent degree.
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Cookie and Kate
3 Broccoli Rabe and Black Bean Quesadillas
Broccoli rabe may be a preferred Italian ingredient, however that doesn’t imply it’s reserved completely for Italian recipes. This dish from Cookie and Kate reveals that the bitter inexperienced is a superb addition to black bean quesadillas, particularly when it’s marinated in lime and garlic first. Be aware that whereas the recipe requires dairy cheese, this may be simply swapped for a vegan different.
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Connoisseurus Veg
4 Sizzling Garlicky Broccoli Rabe Sandwich
Neglect ham, turkey, or cheese, it is advisable begin placing sizzling and garlicky broccoli rabe in your sandwiches. Don’t consider us? Let this flavor-packed recipe from Connoisseurus Veg persuade you in any other case. “This sucker was good,” declares recipe developer Alissa Saenz. “In case you like broccoli rabe, make this.”
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These Vegan Cooks
5 Garlic Tofu With Broccoli Rabe
Tofu is protein-packed and versatile, which implies it really works nicely with just about another ingredient you determine to pair it with, together with garlic confit and broccoli rabe. “When mixed, these three components create a scrumptious and nutritious meal that’s good for anybody on the lookout for a wholesome plant-based dish,” notes the recipe weblog These Vegan Cooks.
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Rabbit and Wolves
6 Vegan Broccoli Rabe Pesto Ravioli
Ravioli could be filled with every thing from meat to cheese to mushrooms, however in the event you haven’t tried it with broccoli rabe pesto but, you’re lacking out. “Broccoli rabe is a little bit bitter, and must be blanched first earlier than you make the pesto,” says recipe developer Lauren Hartmann. “Afterwards it has a really distinctive and intriguing taste that marries very nicely with the opposite pesto components.”
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Harvest Membership
7 Broccoli Rabe Vegan Mac ‘n Cheese
A great hearty, comforting vegan mac and cheese goes nicely with every thing, together with, you guessed it, broccoli rabe. It pairs superbly with the plethora of plant-based components required to make this creamy dish, together with butternut squash, carrots, and yellow onion.
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Charlotte is a VegNews editor and author primarily based in sunny Southsea on England’s southern coast.
