Super Veggie

Broccoli is one of the healthiest foods you can eat. It's low in calories and fat, and high in fiber and many vitamins and minerals, including 70% of the Daily Values (DV) for vitamin A and 120% DV for vitamin C.

Buying and Storing

• When buying broccoli, examine the stalks — they should be compact, slender, and crisp. Look for florets that are tight together and uniformly green. If leaves are present, they should have good color and not be wilted.
• Do not wash broccoli before storing, and be sure to store in an open plastic bag in the refrigerator crisper. Refrigerate broccoli to preserve its texture and flavor, along with vitamin C content.
• Broccoli is best eaten within one to two days of purchase, but it can be kept up to four days in the refrigerator.

Cooking and Serving

• Enjoy broccoli in a variety of ways. Try it raw with other vegetables as part of an appetizer plate or add a few florets in your salad.
• Cook and eat broccoli by itself as a tasty side dish, or chop and add it to stir-fries, pastas, or soups.
• Try to avoid smothering broccoli with cheese — it adds lots of extra calories and fat. Instead, try to lighten up by topping broccoli with lemon juice, a sprinkle of slivered almonds, sesame seeds, toasted bread crumbs, or a little Parmesan cheese.

Add broccoli to your meals and discover the benefits of this superhero of the vegetable world!