What Is Broccoli Rabe, and Why Do Italians Use It?
Broccoli rabe is a key ingredient in many classic Italian dishes. However, the name can be misleading, as this is not a type of broccoli but a different vegetable entirely. Are you curious to know more? We have the information you need. When cooking with this leafy green, there are specific methods that bring out the best in its flavor and texture profiles. Learn more about this cruciferous vegetable and why it’s such an Italian staple.
Broccoli Rabe: A Leafy Green Vegetable
Most people know Italian food for its cheesy, starchy goodness. However, pairing Italian classics like pasta and ziti with the right vegetables makes all the difference. Broccoli rabe is the go-to leafy green for Italian foods — and for a good reason.
For starters, it has a bitter flavor profile. Some people in America refer to it as “bitter broccoli,” but this isn’t bad. In fact, this vegetable’s bitterness can offset some of the sweeter and starchier notes in many Italian dishes.
Think of broccoli rabe as part of the same family as broccoli and cauliflower. While it resembles broccoli florets, it comes from the same genetic line as turnips. It’s considered in-season during autumn but can survive cold winters, making it a versatile and useful veggie to include in Italian cooking.
Bringing Out the Bitter
Many Italian dishes, like soups and pasta, are hearty and heavy. They have rich flavor profiles that need to be balanced out by something sharper. That’s where broccoli rabe comes in.
Italian cooking uses this vegetable as a transitional element. When you’re eating a rich pasta or hearty soup, you can easily taste the mustard-esque flavor of this ingredient. It breaks up the savory and sweet notes, offering something more earthy and unique.
Italian chefs use broccoli rabe for the same reason every other chef does: to balance authentic flavors and create enjoyable profiles for each dish.
Common Combinations and Dishes
You might wonder how this veggie is used in practice. Italian cooking is a fine art — one that we’ve perfected. At Spizzico Italian Kitchen, we offer the best, most well-balanced flavor profiles for authentic Italian dishes. Check out our menu for more delicious pairings!
Sandwiches and Subs
In many Italian restaurants, sandwiches include cold-cut meats, cheeses like provolone, and broccoli rabe. This simple yet delicious combo offers the best of all worlds: slight sweetness (think Italian sausage), savory cheese, and bitter earthiness from this vegetable.
Authentic Italian subs often include broccoli rabe. These sandwiches can be enjoyed hot or cold, and the flavor notes of this turnip-related vegetable shine through at any temperature.
Much like cold sandwiches, Italian hot subs usually incorporate Italian meat, one or more cheese types, and broccoli rabe together. This tasty combination is evident in one of our beloved menu items: G’s Favorite Sub. It features our house-made sausage, smoked mozzarella cheese, and sautéed broccoli rabe.
Pizza Creations
Pizza is among the most popular Italian culinary delights in America. Any well-loved Italian restaurant offers artisan pizza.
At Spizzico Italian Kitchen, we use broccoli rabe in a few of our pizza recipes. G’s Favorite White Pizza is a popular option that is also topped with fennel sausage and smoked mozzarella cheese.
You can also create your own pizza recipe and include broccoli rabe as a cherished topping. We recommend ordering broccoli rabe alongside savory pizza toppings, like Italian sausage and onions.
Pasta Galore!
Italian chefs are known for favoring pasta. It makes sense: Sweet tomato or cream-based sauces paired with starchy noodles and Italian cheeses make for a wonderful, classic dish that almost anyone can enjoy.
Broccoli rabe is a beautiful addition to any Italian pasta dish. Our Penne Sausage & Rabe meal blends acidic tomato notes with Italian sausage and flavorful rabe. You can also ask for this vegetable to be used in our pasta dishes.
How Does Broccoli Rabe Taste?
Still unsure about the flavors you’ll experience with a broccoli rabe dish? This vegetable is comparable to cabbage, mustard greens, and broccoli. The buds of broccoli rabe flawlessly mimic broccoli florets. So, if you enjoy broccoli’s taste but want a more diverse texture profile, broccoli rabe is a wonderful culinary option. The stem of broccoli rabe tastes like mustard greens, which have a very unique and distinct taste. Combined with the leaves, you’ll experience true earthiness, which isn’t present in all vegetables.
Why You Should Eat More Broccoli Rabe
Besides its wonderful flavors and textures, this veggie offers some health benefits. The amount of nutrition in each dish will depend on the other ingredients and the amount of broccoli rabe used. Here are some benefits:
- Vitamin K
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin C
- Potassium
- Magnesium
- Calcium
- Fiber
- Iron
- Folate
Everyone could use more of those essential vitamins and minerals. Fiber helps with digestion and blood sugar control, giving you even more reasons to enjoy broccoli rabe with your hearty Italian dishes.
Overall, whether you’re looking for a healthy option, something flavorful, or both, you can’t go wrong adding broccoli rabe to your next Italian meal. At Spizzico Italian Kitchen, we have all the ingredients you need for a wonderful dining experience.
Now you know why this leafy green is an essential Italian staple ingredient. Next time you visit us at Spizzico Italian Kitchen, remember that broccoli rabe is always on the menu. We’re here to serve you delicious, authentic Italian foods, some dating back hundreds of years.