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Broccoli Romanesco with Green Herb Sauce





Total Time
50 mins

Whorled broccoli romanesco is an exotic treat, yet it’s very easy to prepare–just steam until tender. If you can’t find small heads, just break a full-grown head into florets (cauliflower works too). This recipe is adapted from one in Vegetable Literacy (Ten Speed Press, 2013), by Deborah Madison.

Broccoli Romanesco with Green Herb Sauce (1113)




Aya Brackett
 6 to 8 baby heads broccoli romanesco*; or 1 full-size head or 1 head cauliflower, broken into florets
 1/2 cup coarsely chopped flat-leaf parsley leaves
 1 teaspoon chopped fresh oregano
 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme leaves
  Zest of 1 large lemon
 2 tablespoons lemon juice
 2 tablespoons brined capers, rinsed and chopped
 2 tablespoons finely diced shallot (about 1 medium)
 1 small garlic clove, minced
 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  Sea salt and pepper
Step 1
1

Peel only toughest outer leaves from broccoli romanesco, leaving tender inner ones attached. Steam broccoli in a steamer basket over simmering water, covered, until tender to the core when pierced with a knife, 15 to 20 minutes. Put in a serving dish.

Step 2
2

Meanwhile, mix remaining ingredients, seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.

Step 3
3

Spoon about half the green herb sauce over broccoli and turn gently to coat. Serve warm or at room temperature, with extra sauce on the side.

Step 4
4

*Find at farmers' markets in fall and winter, and increasingly at well-stocked grocery stores.

Step 5
5

Make ahead: Sauce, up to 1 day, chilled (add lemon juice at the last minute, or it will dull the sauce's color). Broccoli romanesco may be steamed a few hours ahead; let sit, loosely covered, at room temp (if chilled overnight in a container, it gets sulfurous).

Step 6
6

Note: Nutritional analysis is per serving with 1 Tbsp. extra sauce.

Nutrition Facts

0 servings

Serving size

Amount per serving
Calories143
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 14g18%

Saturated Fat 2g10%
Cholesterol 0.0mg0%
Sodium 84mg4%
Total Carbohydrate 4.8g2%

Dietary Fiber 1.7g7%
Protein 1.8g

* The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.