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Good Question: Do You Eat Broccoli Stalks?

2008_02_22-Broccoli.jpg Here's a question and a tip from reader angorian:

I'm curious to know how many people cook and eat the stalks of broccoli.

I grew up with "broccoli stars" and always peel, slice, and cook my broccoli stalks, but I've discovered that no one else I know does this. They all just throw the stalks out. Is this really the norm?

I'm wondering if people just don't realise that if you use a paring knife to peel off the tough outer layer, the inner portion of a broccoli stalk is delicious and not to be wasted. In view of all the recent discussion about food prices on the rise, it seems to me that curbing unnecessary food waste is one good tactic for making your grocery dollar go farther.

Angorian, we eat the stalks too! Well-cooked broccoli stalks are juicy and more satisfying than the frilly tops.

What about the rest of you - how do you cook your broccoli stalks, and are there other vegetables like this where you use the whole thing and not just the most easily edible part?

(Image credit: Department of Health, South Dakota)

Comments (31)

Rather than attempt to peel the bumpy stalk, I just slice it thin on my mandoline. Super thin, and I cook them quickly.

posted by Zora on 2008-02-22 10:24:24
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I love the stalks too! I especially like to add plenty of them to a cream of broccoli soup, or a broccoli rice dish. Tons of flavor.

posted by anninva on 2008-02-22 10:29:42
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I eat the stalk down to the point where it gets really fibrous. I'm definitely a stickler for using as much of a veg as possible, like the leaves that come on beets or kohlrabi to make a salad or nice sauteed side, often with the tuber alongside!

posted by OneWallKitchen on 2008-02-22 10:32:49
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Don't even cook 'em! They are my favorite thing to nibble on while the rest of dinner is cooking. My BF didn't realize how amazing they were until I convinced him that slicing and eating them raw was the way to go. Sometimes we even dip them in some delish soy vey teriyaki alongside carrot sticks. Everyone else is apparently missing out! :)

posted by STLcolleen on 2008-02-22 10:33:07
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I add the stalks to my clean-out-the-fridge soup. Same for the thick stalks of greens (they're like celery).

posted by mollyjade on 2008-02-22 10:34:59
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I much prefer the stems to the florets, actually. Just this week I blogged some pasta (with The Kitchen's favorite Trader Joe's lemon-pepper pasta!) with florets and ribbons made from the broccoli stems.

I agree re. nibbling the raw peeled stalks, too. Yum.

posted by katef on 2008-02-22 10:38:46
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Ive heard about peeling the stank, but never tried it. Next time I eat broccoli, Im definately going to try the stalks.

posted by SleepyDweller on 2008-02-22 11:01:54
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I like the stalks cuts super-thin as well. Good for broccoli slaw and soups.

posted by Kuri on 2008-02-22 11:10:32
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I'm a "stalker" too, haha. When you are cooking broccoli if you simply put the stalks in a couple minutes ahead of the florets, they will become just as soft, if you don't care for the toughness.

As for peeling them, I just take a chefs knife and pretty much make a square by cutting a bit off each side, to make a balanced piece, then I chop them up.

I've been making broccoli soups or gratins almost weekly this winter, so tasty!

posted by bobcatsteph3 on 2008-02-22 11:12:32
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I have always eaten the stalks too! But I haven't peeled them before, I'll try that!

posted by alyssazor on 2008-02-22 11:28:40
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Peeling and tourneing broccoli stalks was a knife skills exercise for me in cooking school.

To tourne or to turn, is to both peel and shape a vegetable into sort of a football shape.

Sauteed in butter these broccoli tournes are very pretty. Shiny, emerald green and tender.

posted by art on 2008-02-22 11:37:50
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I too eat the stalks - always raw, though. I either cut them like carrot sticks and dip in hummus or I rough chop and put in a salads or wraps.

posted by sillyLN on 2008-02-22 12:13:07
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the stalks are my favorite part of the broccoli! my mom used to slice them up to put in salad and my sisters and i would always fight for pieces while she was making it!

i think it's the best part of the broccoli, flavorful, crunchy and totally great with a little sea salt.

posted by alexia on 2008-02-22 12:16:09
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i love the stalks too! although, i don't bother to peel them, just cut up into coins and use as i would the florets. I usually use my broccoli in stir fry's, and the coins work well this way. Never been too fibrous in my experience.

posted by mh330 on 2008-02-22 12:47:44
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Never tried it, mostly because I had pet mice growing up and I gave them the stalks (they looove them).

Will have to give it a go soon.

posted by mabith on 2008-02-22 12:49:36
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I eat the stalks and I don't even peel them - I like the texture of the tough skin. They go very well in stir frys or steamed. I can't believe people don't eat them.

posted by Kathryn Hill on 2008-02-22 13:02:16
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I like the stalks, but my dog LOVES the stalks. When broccoli comes out of the fridge, he comes running. We ususally share them, half for the meal and half for the dog.

posted by Kassie on 2008-02-22 13:10:35
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I eat them! Mmm, broccoli.

posted by as3087 on 2008-02-22 13:32:17
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I don't cook 'em either - I love eating them raw like carrots. Same with the stems of fresh parsley.

posted by sodapresents on 2008-02-22 13:43:18
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Broccoli in general, steamed, is SO GOOD with lemon wedges. I've had it in restaurants like this a lot lately; generally with the stalk still attached and thus there to be eaten.

posted by moiety on 2008-02-22 15:34:04
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I love to eat them raw, but if cooking, I'll add them to stir fries or soup

posted by shastaj on 2008-02-22 15:35:33
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I grew up eating the stalks, raw or cooked. My dad only liked the stalks, he hated the texture of the crowns! I refuse to pay extra for broccoli crowns and buy the whole thing!

posted by gleam on 2008-02-22 15:50:00
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I eat it all!

posted by centauri on 2008-02-22 16:22:06
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I found a great recipe somewhere with roasted broccoli stocks, some lemon and garlic. blend it all up and it kind of tastes like artichoke pesto. yummm.

posted by fancyd on 2008-02-22 16:33:14
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Shredded broccoli stalks are an excellent in place of cabbage in coleslaw.

posted by Bruce on 2008-02-23 07:44:38
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I love the stalks. Someone told me they were unsafe to eat but i love them. Raw or roasted boiled or fried i am good to go.


http://organicandnaturalmom.blogspot.com/

posted by http://organicandnaturalmom.blogspot.com/ on 2008-02-23 23:21:17
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i like them as much as i like any other part of the broccoli. to me they are better than the florets, which get all stuck in your teeth and in your throat.

posted by rhubarb13 on 2008-02-24 01:06:10
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Simple... brocoli soup!

Brocoli stalks are precious to me. Slice, chop and cook gently in olive oil along with half an onion and a pod of garlic for about 6-7 minutes. Add from 2 to 4 cups of organic chicken broth depending on how thick you like it. Salt & pepper to your taste.
Put in the blender for 15 seconds and you have a delicious, healthy and inexpensive soup (were'nt you just going to get rid of those stalks?)

posted by Zig on 2008-02-24 06:07:49
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There is a great Marcella Hazan recipe for using the entire broccoli head with homemade orzo that I made when I was a college student. I also munch on the stalk before I can even get them into a salad, stir fry or anything else. They really are my favorite part!

posted by kaanswfm on 2008-02-24 20:35:28
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you don't even have to cook them - just slice or julienne them very thinly and add them to salads. TJs was carrying broccoli slaw made from stalks and that is good too. Just do it homemade since I think they are discontinued.

posted by Joan in SB on 2008-03-04 02:29:12
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Duh, I never thought not to! As a kid, the whole stalk was sliced along with some of the florets. My dog adores the raw stalks, will eat one each day if I let him. Realized I was spending about a dollar a day on them, so have cut back a bit!

posted by passsy on 2008-03-25 16:46:03
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