Gardening Magazine

First Picking of the PSB

By Mwillis
Well, the moment finally arrived when I felt it was OK to pick the first of this year's Purple Sprouting Broccoli. It didn't take me long to gather it - one single swipe with a sharp knife, and this is what I got:
First picking of the PSB
This is the central growing-point of a "Rudolph" plant. Cutting this part off your plant forces the plant to put its energy into the formation of side-shoots. My next photo will enable you to visualise how this is going to happen...
First picking of the PSB
The piece I have cut is of course a collection of smaller shoots clustered around a central stem.
First picking of the PSB
I don't feel my camera has reproduced the color accurately, but the next couple of shots will give you some idea of how beautiful this edible flower really is!
First picking of the PSB
First picking of the PSB
First picking of the PSB
In the kitchen, this flower-head needs to be disassembled for cooking, otherwise the flower bits will end up mushy before the central stalk is cooked. I usually keep some of the leaves too, since these are nice to eat as well as the flowers.
First picking of the PSB
That one piece provides plenty for a two-person serving. I'll show you tomorrow how it got used as part of a meal.

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