Ingredient Spotlight: Broccoli {& schedule}

Thanks so much for your interest in Ingredient Spotlight – & your participation.  We are heading into some of my favorite ingredients as we approach fall.  Here’s what you can expect for the coming months:

August:
Eggplant (21st)
Tomatoes (28th)

September:
Apples (4th)
Oats (11th)
Whole Wheat Flour (18th)
Carrots (25th)

October:
Pumpkin (2nd)
Wild Rice (9th)
Molasses (16th)
Winter Squash (23rd)
Lentils (30th)

November:
Sweet Potato (6th)
Buttermilk (13th)
Turkey (20th)
Chocolate & Peanut Butter {double spotlight} (27th)

December:
Caramel (4th)
Candy Canes (11th)
Mint (18th)

Today’s spotlight focuses on Broccoli – a delicious leafy green vegetable from the mustard (Brassica) family.  Did you know, broccoli, kale, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower and mustard are all the same species?  Each veggie we know and love comes from the same plant type, with just a different part selected for (e.g., leaves vs. flowers, etc). 

We love broccoli, here’s a few ways we enjoy it:

Loaded Baked Potato Dippers – A fantastic side dip filled with cheese, broccoli and bacon; keep this one stored away for fall football!

Broccoli & Red Pepper with Garlic & Herbs – A copycat recipe of the Green Giant Steamers, one that is delicious and pairs wonderfully with all sorts of dinners. 

Ham, Broccoli & Cheese “Hot” Pockets – These delicious pockets are filled with a cheesy sauce, broccoli and ham.  They make a great lunch, dinner or even breakfast. 

Ham & Garden Veggie Shells – not only will this use broccoli, but it will use up that zucchini too!

Brown Rice, Broccoli & Roasted Tomato Salad – This is one of my favorite end-of-summer, back to school lunches.  Perfect during the week, or on a Saturday. 

SnoWhite’s Broccoli Hotdish – While I can’t take credit for this recipe, my mom said I loved this one so much as a child that she named it after me.  It’s delicious, and I love it today as much as I did then. 

What are your favorite ways to enjoy broccoli? 

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