Broccoli bolted

[shellyanne1987]

Are there any uses for bolted broccoli other than to let it go to seed, are the flowers edible and could I use the leafy greens like cabbage?


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[Nicos]

We eat both the flowers/bolted seedheads/smaller leaves...especially over the past few weeks.
Not sure about the larger leaves though...they may be a bit tough?
Having said that, they may be OK in soup once destalked and zapped??????

[Two_Sheds]

you can save seed from broccoli, but you "need a minimum of 20 plants to get healthy seed"

Saving Brassica Vegetable Seed

good fun to try though, if you have the room

[kathyd]

Find someone with chickens for the stalks with leaves left on - chickens will kill for broccoli, no matter how old

[Chippy Minton]

Find someone with chickens for the stalks with leaves left on - chickens will kill for broccoli, no matter how old

Hahaha, whenever we harvest anything like that we have to bring a sacrificial one and throw it away from the path to distract the chucks, otherwise one gets under your feet to trip you up and the other makes a grab for whatever you've brought. Ninja chuckies, whatever next

[veggiechicken]

Are there any uses for bolted broccoli other than to let it go to seed, are the flowers edible and could I use the leafy greens like cabbage?

I eat every bit of a brassica (except the really tough bits!!)
Pick the lower leaves (like cut and come again), use the shoots like sprouting broccoli and scatter the flowers in a salad.
You can also peel the thick stalks and find tender stuff inside.
THere's not much left for the dogs and chooks!

[PyreneesPlot]

... and eventually the bees love the flowers. Well, they do here.

[shellyanne1987]

Thanks everyone


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[BertieFox]

If you really wanted to, you could eat ANY part of a broccoli plant. I haven't tried it but even the stalks, steamed for long enough, might be edible like kohl rabi, though a bit stringy! I'm more interested in what made your broccoli bolt? Are we talking about autumn sown plants or something young you have started early this year? I find I only succeed with most broccolis in the polytunnel because they are given loads of attention there and get far more watering and protection from the elements. Most broccoli will bolt if they dry out and then get a good watering, or if the temperatures vary too much.

[shellyanne1987]

It was quite a young plant so still tender I are all of it sautéed it and served it with dinner had no complaints


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[Raybon]

I don't mind bolters too much, great stuff for the compost bin!