Availability Chart

Care and Handling

Availability - Green Giant® Fresh Broccoli is available year round.

Selection - Good quality broccoli should have fresh-looking, light green stalks of consistent thickness. Bud clusters should be compact and dark green with some purple tinge.

Storage - Wrap unwashed broccoli in plastic wrap or place into a plastic bag and store in the vegetable drawer or crisper section of your refrigerator until ready to use. It will keep a few days, but is best used right away. Wrapped broccoli can go right into the refrigerator.

Preparation - For bunched broccoli, cut off woody stem ends about an inch from the bottom, crowns may be used as is. Wash spears before using.

Cooking - Cook one pound of spears or florettes, covered, in small amount of boiling salted water for about 6 - 8 minutes or until tender-crisp. When preparing in the microwave, place prepared broccoli in a microwave-safe casserole pan. Add about a half inch of water; cover, and microcook at HIGH (100%) for 4 - 6 minutes. Give dish a quarter-turn halfway through cooking time. Let stand 5 minutes. To steam, place broccoli in steamer for 8-10 minutes, or until tender-crisp.

Freezing - To freeze, begin by washing broccoli and removing woody ends of the stalk and tough leaves. Cut into one inch sections and blanch for 3 - 5 minutes. Submerge vegetable in ice water for same duration of time. Drain, and place in freezer containers.