Broccoli

About

This popular brassica has been a veggie staple since ancient times; it was bred from wild kale or cabbage by the Romans. There are two main types of broccoli: sprouting, which forms many small heads over a few weeks; and heading, which forms fewer but larger heads that ripen at close to the same time. Broccoli rabe, while similar in texture and flavor, is actually not broccoli at all; in fact, it's more closely related to turnips. Regardless, it's delicious in Italian-inspired dishes or as a vegetable side.