7 Ways to Use Up and Preserve Fresh Broccoli

Broccoli manages to find its way onto our plates more often than not as a quick and easy veggie side dish.  It’s one of those veggies that the kids have always been willing to eat {even though, until fairly recently it wasn’t my favorite}, so I kind of gravitate toward using it pretty regularly.  I don’t usually get a bumper crop of broccoli, so it gets used up pretty quick, but when I was getting it from Mr. Produce Guy, I had to get a little creative on making sure we could preserve it or use it before it went bad.

Here’s a few ways to use it  up:

Preserving

1. Really, the only way I have ever preserved broccoli is to freeze it.  To freeze it, wash it and cut it into florets.  Then, blanch it for about 3 minutes.  Immediately immerse it in ice water to stop the cooking.  Then, lay the florets out on a cookie tray lined with a silpat or parchment paper.  Freeze the broccoli in a single layer {this will prevent them from sticking together once you have bagged them}.  Once they are frozen, transfer them to a freezer safe bag or container and put them back in the freezer.

Ways to Enjoy Them Fresh

1. Keep it simple.  Just cut them up and dip them into homemade hummus or ranch.
2. Toss them into soups.  Even better, make broccoli one of the headliners–broccoli and cheddar soup makes winter easier.  It’s a fact.
3. Get a little veggie into your breakfast by adding them to egg bakes and quiches.
4. Add broccoli to green salads.  It gives your salad a little nutritional boost.
5. Steam or roast broccoli for an easy side dish.
6. Broccoli salads are great for easy sides to whip up for potlucks or BBQ’s.

Does your family eat broccoli?  How do you prepare or preserve it?

~Mavis

Want to grow your own?  GO HERE for the low down.