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.











Rather than attempt to peel the bumpy stalk, I just slice it thin on my mandoline. Super thin, and I cook them quickly.
view Zora 's profile
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.
view anninva's profile
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!
view OneWallKitchen's profile
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! :)
view STLcolleen's profile
I add the stalks to my clean-out-the-fridge soup. Same for the thick stalks of greens (they're like celery).
view mollyjade's profile
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.
view katef's profile
Ive heard about peeling the stank, but never tried it. Next time I eat broccoli, Im definately going to try the stalks.
view SleepyDweller's profile
I like the stalks cuts super-thin as well. Good for broccoli slaw and soups.
view Kuri's profile
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!
view bobcatsteph3's profile
I have always eaten the stalks too! But I haven't peeled them before, I'll try that!
view alyssazor's profile
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.
view art's profile
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.
view sillyLN's profile
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.
view alexia's profile
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.
view mh330's profile
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.
view mabith's profile
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.
view Kathryn Hill's profile
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.
view Kassie's profile
I eat them! Mmm, broccoli.
view as3087's profile
I don't cook 'em either - I love eating them raw like carrots. Same with the stems of fresh parsley.
view sodapresents's profile
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.
view moiety's profile
I love to eat them raw, but if cooking, I'll add them to stir fries or soup
view shastaj's profile
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!
view gleam's profile
I eat it all!
view centauri's profile
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.
view fancyd's profile
Shredded broccoli stalks are an excellent in place of cabbage in coleslaw.
view Bruce's profile
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/
view http://organicandnaturalmom.blogspot.com/'s profile
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.
view rhubarb13's profile
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?)
view Zig's profile
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!
view kaanswfm's profile
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.
view Joan in SB's profile
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!
view passsy's profile