A reader emailed me a few days ago with this pretty creative tip:
I wanted to share my money saving tip! My kids like to bite the tops off the broccoli and leave the rest. I got tired of WASTING the stems, so I peel them and use them for dips now.
Once you peel the skin off, they are surprisingly tender! The kids go nuts for them! -a reader
I suppose I am lucky in having two young daughters who love broccoli and don’t need much persuasion to eat it. But I had never thought of using the stalks as a dip. That’s a great idea and so simple, one of those “why didn’t I think of that?” moments. Thank you.
My kids have always liked the top better, and I have always liked the stem better. So there is never any left over. Organic stems are more tender for some reason.
we always told our kids they were eating trees (broccoli) and flowers (califlower) and they thought that was neat i guess, they ate it.
GREAT idea. And they’re especially tender if they’re young shoots and/or organic. I’ve noticed that regular, non-organic broccoli stems seem to be tougher.
I had no idea you could peel them. Does anyone know if they freeze well after being peeled?
GOSH,… wish this would work for my little one. even dips don’t work. he just eats all the dip. refuses to eat any veggies. *sigh* Got any other tips?? would LOVE to hear them
We like to grill broccoli in the summer. Chop into pieces, drizzle with a little oil, sprinkle with salt/pepper/whatever seasoning you like. Wrap up in a foil packet and grill over medium heat to your liking. I do about 5-7 minutes per side and flip for another 5-7 minutes.
They would also be good sliced/slivered for chow mein or something similar (like they do with the celery/onions)
I peel the stems of asparagus this way too! Same thing, surprisingly tender. Even makes the tough stems nice for cooking, rather than throwing half the stalk in the compost.
I must not be peeling them the right way, then. I peeled them one time and shredded them to use instead of broccoli slaw and it was really gross. Too many stringy things.
Never thought of doing that! Wonder if the stalks have the same amount of vitamins at the florets?
Makes for great broccoli slaw as well!
Really want to try this!!!! My favorite ways to save money are by not wasting things, especially healthy things!
I love how everyone is so creative!!! Thanks for sharing all the great tips!! MSM readers are the best!!!
You can also slice them crosswise on an angle into coins or chips and stir fry them with your favorite sauce. This has turned into a favorite side dish around here.
I run them through the food processor or chop them very fine and add them to spaghetti bolognaise. Our ‘meat sauce’ is always at least 50% veggies, not including the tomatoes. The kids can’t tell the difference and surprisingly neither can my vegetable hating hubby!
nice tip 🙂
My mom used to peel them and slice them like coins. “Broccoli chips” in our lunch box. I peel, chop, and save them in the freezer to add them into a pureed mock cream of broccoli soup I make.
This is BRILLIANT! Believe it or not, but I am normally very thrifty and resourceful. I can’t believe I have been paying for broccoli slaw while throwing out tons of stalks when I have fresh broccoli. I feel pretty dumb today, but so happy I checked the comments here.
Just last night I shredded some broccoli stalks and added them to our salad. I also put them in our may-free coleslaw. Love the idea of roasting them!
My daughter doesn’t like the florets, she always asks for the stalks!
I do this too, and use the stalks in whatever dish I’m cooking.
They also taste great when roasted in the oven. I often save the stems of my broccoli and then add them in with whatever other vegetables I am roasting in the oven.
Oh, thanks for this great idea!
We love them roasted! I told my son they were “broccoli fries” and he was hooked. I always threw the stems away until this past year when I started working in a school kitchen and was taught to peel and use the stems. So glad I learned this!
I use the stalks for coleslaw instead of cabbage. It is really good.
My mom always did that when I was a kid… As she would peel them, I would sit beside her at the sink, eagerly waiting…. It’s not quite the same to do them for myself now as an adult.
Sometimes I think I am the only person who prefers the stalks to the top part lol That is a really good idea!
You are not the only one. My daughter eats the tops and I get all the stalks! …and so between the 2 of us, we lick the the platter clean! 🙂
I also peel them and then run them through the food processor. Use them to make broccoli slaw (sadly only one of my kids will eat it though!)