When to cut central spear of broccoli?

[Borisbump]

Hi I've done a search but can't find what I'm looking for. Any help gratefully received.

My Early Sprouting Purple Broccoli has finally sprouted. I understand to get a good yield I need to cut the central spear to encourage the side spears to grow but at what point do I do this? What length?

The central spear is there but it's approx. 3cm high, so not big. The side spears are also coming through although a lot smaller.

Thanks in advance.

Claire

[shirlthegirl43]

There is no set time but do cut it before the flowers open or it will be bitter.

[SarzWix]

I just cut the main shoot off mine the other day. It was smaller than I'd have liked, but I left it last year in the hope it would get a bit bigger but it flowered instead So, if it looks like it's edible, I'd snip it. Sooo frustrating if you leave it too long

This is what mine looked like the day I snipped it.

[Keith2202]

Last year was my first year growing veg and I planted some psb. I only have 2 plants and wasn't expecting anything, however, much to my pleasure a couple of days ago I noticed some purple heads, wahey!!
It is still pretty small, but based on the advice here I will cut it soon. I may even present it to my girlfriend for dinner tomorrow when she gets back off holiday. I'm sure she will be really chuffed ho ho.

Waste not, want not, does anyone have any good ways of cooking the leaves, other than the soup that I would otherwise bung them in?

Cheers
Keith

[gojiberry]

Lightly steamed and served with real butter (not good for the diet) and freshly ground black pepper.

Ian

[Flummery]

I made some anchovy butter (recipe - anchovies, butter!) and froze it a while back. With strong tasting greens it's lovely and you can just cut off a bit straight from the freezer and re-wrap it. Quite salty so you don't need salt in the cooking if you usually use it. Just toss the lightly steamed greens in it till it melts.

[taff]

with a cheese sauce, or a bechamel sauce with some sweaty leeks. I saw a recipe for cabbage pie the other day, no idea how that would turn out though.

[Snadger]

I made some anchovy butter (recipe - anchovies, butter!) and froze it a while back. With strong tasting greens it's lovely and you can just cut off a bit straight from the freezer and re-wrap it. Quite salty so you don't need salt in the cooking if you usually use it. Just toss the lightly steamed greens in it till it melts.

Sounds as if it will be nice with PSB Flum!

[Scottishnewbie]

oh my goodness, i realise i have sooooooo much to learn! it never even occurred to me to eat the greens!!! D-uh!! Thanks folks

[Demeter]

Mmmmmmmmm...
My parents are coming to visit in a couple of days from Spain and this is my first chance to give them my own homegrown produce. I feared I would find myself in the hungry gap but I have got sprout greens to harvest (have been saving one plant specifically for this purpose lol) as well as PSB and a few other things - principally kale and spring onions

[jemma_charlie]

when do you all plant yours? i planted mine when the packet said to and they are still only 1cm seedlings

[Keith2202]

Thanks for the suggestions. I do generally try and avoid butter and salt in my cooking, but once in while no harm eh?
I had some leaves last night steamed over pasta with a load of pepper. Pretty good.
I've also had some soup made out of beetroot leaves this week it's great being able to feed yourself with things from the garden!

Scottishnewbie - I think you can eat the leaves off all brassicas I presume they are as good for you as the flower heads? plus things like beetroot & carrots. The leaves to avoid are things in the nightshade family like tomatoes, potatoes, aubergines and peppers also I think parsnips

jemma_charlie I started growing quite late last year so I would imagine I planted mine in June time maybe. I've only got 2 plants, I didn't think they would put heads on but I left them in the ground just in case and I seem to have been rewarded

[marigold007]

Hi. We've been using most of our white sprouting broccoli as a filling for omelets. That's very health conscious and recommended on a low GI diet.

[Demeter]

when do you all plant yours? i planted mine when the packet said to and they are still only 1cm seedlings

I sowed mine about this time last year.
So this time next year you too will be able to boast about your yummy PSB

[jemma_charlie]

oh I was hoping for some this year! oh well, something to look forward too