A weird species.....

ROMANESCO BROCCOLI

Romanesco broccoli, or Roman cauliflower, is an edible flower of the species Brassica oleracea, and a variant form of cauliflower.

DON’T FORGET TO REMEMBER ! ! ! ! ! !

• Powerful vegetables like broccoli, Brussels sprouts and cabbage fight against colon, breast and prostate gland cancer. Being loaded with beta-carotene is another of the many health benefits of broccoli. Beta-carotene converts to Vitamin A once inside the body, becoming an antioxidant.
• Incentives to eat cabbage are certainly significant, not just because it tastes good, but because it offers many health benefits. A cup of cabbage (approximately 150 grams) has only 33 calories.

Romanesco is an edible flower and very healthy too. Different countries call it different names like: Romanesco Broccoli, Roman Cauliflower, Broccoflower, and Romanesco Cauliflower. God created this Vegetable with a very beautiful design. At the same time, not only is it beautiful on the outside, it is also very good and healthy on the inside. The nutrients that you can find in a Romanesco are:
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin B1, Thiamin
- Vitamin B2, Riboflavin
- Vitamin B3, Niacin
- Vitamin B5, Pantothenic Acid
- Vitamin B6, Pyridoxine
- Vitamin B9, Folate
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin K
- Dietary Fiber
- Manganese
- Magnesium
- Protein
- Phosphorus
- Potassium
- Tryptophan
- Omega 3 Fatty Acids

The Health Benefits that people can very possibly get from Romanesco Cauliflower or Broccoli are:
- Improves Eyesight
- Supports Vision
- Helps fight viral infections
- Protects from free radicals
- Lowers Risk of many cancers
- Improves healing
- Helps protect from colds
- Helps protect from flu
- Helps protect from infections
- Improves Lung health
- Supports red cell health
- Improves Bone health
- Improves Brain function
- Reduces Depression
- Reduces Constipations
- Improves Cholesterol Levels
- Improves Blood Sugar Levels
- Improves Blood Pressure Levels
- Supports Muscles
- Supports Nerves
- Supports Heart Health

HISTORY

Romanesco broccoli was first documented in Italy (as broccolo romanesco) in the sixteenth century. It is sometimes called broccoflower, but that name is also applied to green-curded cauliflower cultivars.

DESCRIPTION

Also known as coral broccoli, Romanesco broccoli is rich in vitamin C, fiber, and carotenoids.

The vegetable resembles a cauliflower, but is of a light green color and the inflorescence (the bud) has an approximate self-similar character, with the branched meristems making a logarithmic spiral. In this sense the broccoli's shape approximates a natural fractal; each bud is composed of a series of smaller buds, all arranged in yet another logarithmic spiral. This self-similar pattern continues at several smaller levels.

In appearance, Broccoli Romanesco is truly bizarre. The vegetable illustrates a fractal pattern, growing a spiral head composed of conical florets which also prove to be spirals upon close examination. The vegetable has a greenish tinge, and giant waxy leaves which can almost entirely conceal the edible heads of the plant. Mathematicians sometimes use the plant to illustrate fractals, since it is stunning to look at in addition to being edible after class.

FRACTAL PATTERN

The head of Romanesco broccoli is a visually striking example of an approximate fractal in nature. The pattern is only an approximate fractal since the pattern eventually terminates when the feature size becomes sufficiently small. In computer graphics, its pattern has been modeled as a recursive helical arrangement of cones.

GROWING

Broccoli Romanesco grows best in temperate climates over the cooler months, preferring temperatures no higher than 25°C (77°F) and no lower than -2°C (28°F).
It requires a partially shaded location with plenty of space and slightly alkaline soil.
These plants grow upto 3 ft in height.

COOKING

Although in Italy there are a number of recipes dedicated to Romanesco broccoli, in the rest of the world it is usually prepared like conventional broccoli. Like conventional broccoli, overcooking Romanesco will result in a texture some people find unpleasant. The texture is more tender than cauliflower, making it suited to raw use as crudités.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size	1 cup
Amount Per Serving
Calories	35
Calories from Fat	0
% Daily Value*
Total Fat	0.0 g	0 %
Cholesterol	0 mg	0 %
Sodium	20 mg	1 %
Potassium	0 mg	0 %
Total Carbohydrate	5 g	2 %
Dietary Fiber	3 g	12 %
Protein	3.0 g	6 %
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.