If you think veggies are boring, then you've never seen the likes of Romanesco broccoli. And if this true marvel of nature doesn't make you wonder what the hell the first George Bush was talking about when he proclaimed that he didn't like broccoli, then you're an incurable Lachanophobe.
See the way each little peak spirals around? And then notice how each little bunch then spirals around the whole head? This is called a fractal form, or a self-similar pattern. There are lots of examples in nature of fractal forms, but I think the Romanesco broccoli is one of the coolest, because you can get right up close to it and admire it for as long as you want, and then you can eat it!
Romanesco broccoli is not really a true broccoli, it's more properly classified as a cauliflower, and a lot of people do know it as such. I can tell by the way it grows that it's a cauliflower. The plant is much larger than a broccoli - about 3 feet in height when mature - and once the main head is cut, that's it. You cannot rely on lateral growth for additional minor heads as the season goes on, which is a nice feature of regular broccoli. However, this beauty is so interesting, with a nice nutty flavor, that it's worth it.
I mean, talk about a great segue at the dinner table. You could steam this baby whole, present it to your perpetually bored lachanophobic teen-ager, and with any luck, get him to eat his veggies AND start a conversation about molecular nanotechnology.
Now go forth and multiply in a self-similar pattern. Plant some Romanesco. Pronto.
I was once a "perpetually bored lachanophobic teen-ager"....
Posted by: smurf | August 25, 2009 at 10:44 AM
My romanesco have shot up and I was worried they were mutant ones until I read the comments here. I wondered whether I need to do anything to help them form their heads, or just let them keep on growing and hope they do it on their own?
Posted by: Alison | June 17, 2009 at 09:17 AM
Perfect example of fractals in nature.
Posted by: Leah | February 18, 2009 at 06:32 PM
Nic: Just be patient, the flower will eventually come.
Posted by: Love Apple Farm | November 12, 2008 at 03:03 PM
I have had my romanesco in for about 4 months now and they are quite tall. Approx 2 feet... When does it start to flower? have i done something wrong to make it not flower.... There is no sign of a flower.
Posted by: Nic | November 12, 2008 at 02:08 AM
I steamed a whole head for Christmas dinner last year and decorated it with tiny beets, little onions, and strips of red pepper. Really beautiful and a great conversation started.
Posted by: Annette J | February 26, 2008 at 02:47 AM
My plants are growing bigger and bigger and I am waiting for the head to form.Seeing the photo of yours I can't wait!
Posted by: Kate | February 08, 2008 at 01:04 AM
Chuck: Wow, I didn't know there was such an issue with bugs and the Romanesco at farmers' markets. All the Romaneso I've ever grown has been bug-free. I wonder if the bugs attach themselves after harvest, or if they are there when harvested? Hmmm. I would suggest soaking it under water for a time to get rid of the bugs, perhaps with something a bit heavy on it to hold it down. You may already have tried that, though.
Posted by: Love Apple Farm | February 07, 2008 at 07:14 PM
I'm curious as to how it is prepared and presented at the restaurant.
Posted by: Nate | February 06, 2008 at 01:50 PM
are there secrets to farming it and keeping the bugs out? i've bought it three different times at the farmer's market, from 3 different vendors, and each time it has been infested with bugs - all sorts. it was impossible to eat the vegetable w/o eating bugs.
Posted by: ChuckEats | February 05, 2008 at 01:09 PM
I LOVE romanesco!! why aren't more foods fractal-shaped??
Posted by: Kate | February 05, 2008 at 07:06 AM
I had no idea the plant could get so large...for this reason alone I'm now considering giving it a go this year! Beautiful.
Posted by: Amy | February 05, 2008 at 06:26 AM