Choose odorless broccoli heads with tight, bluish-green florets.
The pivotal moment in growing broccoli is deciding when to harvest. The best time to harvest is when the broccoli head is fully formed but before any yellow flowers appear. The head should be firm and tight, and the buds dark green.
To harvest, take a sharp knife and cut the main stem about 5-6 inches below the head, leaving some of the stem intact. This helps support the growth of side shoots, allowing your broccoli plant to continue producing smaller heads for several weeks after the initial harvest.
Once harvested, fresh broccoli can be kept in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. If you need to store it for longer, consider blanching and freezing it.
Low fat; saturated fat free; low sodium; cholesterol free; high in vitamin C; high in folate; good source of dietary fiber; good source of potassium.
