Raw Broccoli
The Health Benefits Of Eating Raw Broccoli
Raw broccoli is considered by some as bland and a bit funky in texture, but for the rest of us it is a wonderful treat which can dress up many of our favorite cold plates and salads. Even if you have to dip it in dressings, the nutrients in raw broccoli far outweigh the potential added fat of the sauce. The only ways of maintaining all of the nutrients in broccoli during cooking are either flash sautéing or steaming, and both of these methods are very time sensitive. Too much heat for an extended period of time begins to break down the fibers of the vegetable, allowing many of the nutrients to either seep or evaporate. For this reason, boiling is not recommended, but is acceptable when compared to less nutritious snacking alternatives.
If you are looking for ways of incorporating raw broccoli into more of your daily meal choices, you have made a bright decision. Super high in vitamin C, vitamin K, and potassium, this priceless and delicious vegetable has no fat, no cholesterol, and only a few carbohydrates, the good, simple kind of course. Raw broccoli will offer the most direct approach to these important nutrients, but steaming, blanching, or a quick sauté with a couple teaspoons of water will keep you pretty close to the original amounts. There are a few key preparation steps that you will want to adhere to before eating raw broccoli or cooked broccoli, even if it comes from your very own garden.
If the broccoli has begun to wilt or discolor you probably should not use it. This can cause a bitter taste, or even make you sick. You want your raw broccoli to be perky, thoroughly green, and have a very fresh smell to it. No matter where it comes from, raw broccoli needs to be rinsed thoroughly with cold water. When purchased from the market, all vegetables except for the organic ones have a good chance of being sprayed or powdered with pesticides and waxes. Also, broccoli has a way of becoming sandy or dirty in the flowerets and around the smaller stems, and this can be quite unpleasant to bite into. Rinsing it completely for at least five minutes should take care of this pesky issue.
Now that you have cleaned your raw broccoli, it is time to begin adding it to your meal time regiment. Keeping some pre-cleaned and separated broccoli in air tight bags in the fridge will make it easy for you to toss some into your salad whenever you wish. It goes well in coleslaw, believe it or not, and also in macaroni salads for an extra touch of color and texture.