Produce Briefs...
Calamondin Limes
The Calamondin lime, scientific name, X Citrofortunella mitis & Citrus microcarpa, is also known as the lime orange, Chinese orange or Calamondin orange.
Salanova® Lettuces
Salanova® lettuce is a full-sized variety developed for the baby lettuce market. Botanically these varieties are scientifically known as Lactuca sativa.
Pinkglow™ Pineapple
Pinkglow™ pineapples are small to medium fruits with an oval to cylindrical shape.
Description/Taste
Broccolini® consists of elongated, tubular stems, averaging 10 to 15 centimeters in length, and transitions into dark green leaves traveling up the stem, spreading into small, clustered florets at the top. The narrow stems are bright green, firm, and smooth with a dense, crunchy, and succulent consistency. The leaves and florets are dark green with a delicate, brittle, and crisp texture. Broccolini® has a fresh, green taste with subtle peppery and mustard-like undertones. The vegetable is milder than common broccoli, and when cooked, the flavor becomes understated with fresh, sweet nuances.
Seasons/Availability
Broccolini® is available year-round.
Current Facts
Broccolini® is a naturally developed hybrid vegetable belonging to the Brassicaceae family. The sweet and tender variety was produced from traditional hand-pollinated crosses between gai lan and broccoli and is not genetically modified. Broccolini® is also known as Aspirations and was created in Japan as a crop to complement the seasonal sales of cool-season broccoli. Broccolini® grows best in temperate climates and can be grown year-round and worldwide, but the vegetable has remained a luxury variety due to the cultivar’s challenging growth characteristics and multiple harvest requirements. Despite its demanding nature, Broccolini® has amassed a small following among chefs and broccoli enthusiasts for the variety’s mild, sweet flavor, zero waste nature, and tender, crunchy consistency.
Nutritional Value
Broccolini® is an excellent source of vitamin C, an antioxidant that strengthens the immune system while reducing inflammation, and is a good source of fiber and vitamin A. The cultivar also provides calcium to protect bones and teeth, iron to build the protein hemoglobin for oxygen transport in the blood, potassium to balance fluid levels within the body, and lower amounts of folate, vitamin K, and manganese.
Applications
Broccolini® has a delicate nature and sweet, peppery flavor well suited for both raw and cooked applications. The hybrid cultivar does not need to be peeled before use and was designed to withstand high heat, utilized in roasted, stir-fried, sauteed, steamed, or blanched preparations. Broccolini® can be shaved into green salads, and the entire vegetable is edible, including the stem, leaves, and florets. It can also be blanched and tossed into pasta, chopped and mixed into grain bowls, layered on appetizer plates with creamy cheeses and dips, or tossed in light-bodied vinegar and served as a bright side dish. Beyond lightly cooked applications, Broccolini® can be stir-fried into vegetable medleys, roasted with meats, or used as a topping over pizza. Broccolini® pairs well with meats such as poultry, turkey, beef, pork, and fish, aromatics such as ginger, garlic, and onions, cheeses such as parmigiano, burrata, goat, and feta, tomatoes, eggplant, asparagus, Brussels sprouts, carrots, citrus, and olives. Whole, unwashed Broccolini® will keep 5 to 10 days when stored in a plastic bag in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Broccolini® is known around the world by many different names, and these names were created from targeted marketing plans to popularize the new vegetable. The variety was originally released as Aspirations, a term developed by Sakata Seed in reference to the company’s hopes of the new variety being successful. The name was also created to encourage consumers to relate the variety’s elongated stalks with the tender nature of asparagus, despite the cultivar not having any genetic ties with asparagus. Once Aspirations was introduced to the United States, it was renamed by the Mann Packing Company in Salinas, California. Mann Packing Company’s Chief Operating Officer’s wife, Debbi Nucci, developed the name Broccolini®, and the company filed a registered trademark for the name in 1998 in an effort to rebrand the new vegetable. The name Broccolini® was developed to associate the cultivar with baby broccoli as the American consumer market has a fondness for baby vegetables. Broccolini® was met with a positive response nationwide and is the primary label used in the United States today. Broccolini® is also known under other names, including Asparbroc, Chinese Baby Broccoli, Tender Stem, Broccoletti, and Broccolini Brand Baby Broccoli.
Geography/History
Broccolini® was developed by Sakata Seeds, a seed breeding company based in Yokohama, Japan, with offices worldwide. The variety was created from a Sakata Seed annual research meeting in the 1980s in Japan between marketing and sales professionals, seed breeding scientists, and experts. Sakata Seed is one of the world’s leading supplier of broccoli seeds, and during the research meeting, an idea was developed to create a type of vegetable similar to broccoli that could be grown in warmer climates year-round. It was important to the research team that the new variety maintained some physical similarities to broccoli, but the entire vegetable should be edible to reduce food waste. It took over seven years for the new vegetable to be created, first labeled under the name Aspirations, and was released to Japanese growers in 1993. Aspirations was later introduced in 1996 to the United States and was sold through licensed growers in Northern California. The leading partnership was with the Mann Packing Company of Salinas, one of the largest distributors of fresh broccoli. The company aggressively marketed the new variety as a sweeter, high-end variant of broccoli and eventually trademarked and renamed Aspirations to Broccolini® in 1998. Today Broccolini® is considered a specialty variety primarily found through farmer’s markets and select grocers and is sold in the United States, Canada, South Africa, Europe, Asia, and Australia.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
| Rustic Root | San Diego CA | 619-232-1747 |
| Animae | San Diego CA | 619-925-7908 |
| Nolita Hall | San Diego CA | 619-618-8820 |
| Pamplemousse Grill | Solana Beach CA | 858-792-9090 |
| MCRD-Marine Corps Recruit Dept | San Diego CA | 619-725-6478 |
| Hilton Mission Valley | San Diego CA | 619-543-9000 |
| Artifact at Mingei | San Diego CA | 619-846-2164 |
| InterContinental Vistal Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-501-9400 |
| Herb & Wood | San Diego CA | 520-205-1288 |
| Portside Pier (Brigantine) | San Diego CA | 858-268-1030 |
| Farmers Bottega | San Diego CA | 619-306-8963 |
| AToN Center Inc. | Encinitas CA | 858-759-5017 |
| Great Maple Hillcrest | San Diego CA | 619-255-2282 |
| Waverly | Cardiff CA | 619-244-0416 |
| Davanti Enoteca India St. | San Diego CA | 619-237-9606 |
| Paradise Point Resort Barefoot | San Diego CA | 858-490-6363 |
| 264 Fresco (Deck Kitchen) | Carlsbad CA | 760-720-3737 |
| Saint Mark Golf and Resort, LLC | San Marcos CA | 508-320-6644 |
| Black Radish | San Diego CA | 619-775-7412 |
| Tender Greens-UTC | San Diego CA | 858-455-9395 |
| Peohes | Coronado CA | 619-437-4474 |
| Hotel Republic San Diego | San Diego CA | 951-756-9357 |
| The Plot | Oceanside CA | 422-266-8200 |
| Pacific Coast Grill | Solana Beach CA | 858-794-4632 |
| 264 Fresco (Kitchen) | Carlsbad CA | 760-720-3737 |
| The Farm Golf Club | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-756-5585 |
| Glenbrook Health Center | Carlsbad CA | 760-704-1000 |
| Sorority Cuisine - SAE | San Diego CA | 310-402-6195 |
| Bernardo Heights Country Club | San Diego CA | 858-487-4022 |
| Sheraton Carlsbad (7 Mile) | Carlsbad CA | 760-827-2400 |
| Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District | El Cajon CA | 619-644-7585 |
| One Door North | San Diego CA | 858-232-4220 |
| Seneca | San Diego CA | 619-588-2411 |
| Aztec Shop Catering | San Diego CA | 619-594-3576 |
| Sugar Bear Enterprises | San Diego CA | 925-383-3623 |
| Searcher | San Diego CA | 619-226-2403 |
| Sycuan Casino | El Cajon CA | 619-445-6002 |
| Fish 101 Cardiff | Cardiff CA | 619-753-7139 |
| Madam Bonnies | San Diego CA | 619-432-1383 |
| Mr A's | San Diego CA | 619-239-1377 |
| Marriott Del Mar | San Diego CA | 858-369-6029 |
| Cucina Sorella | San Diego CA | 858-232-7808 |
| Sheraton Carlsbad (Banquets) | Carlsbad CA | 760-827-2400 |
| Beach Plum Kitchen | Carlsbad CA | 760-688-8682 |
| Mission Ave Bar and Grill | Oceanside CA | 760-717-5899 |
| The Shores | La Jolla CA | 858-459-8271 |
| Green Dragon Tavern & Museum | Carlsbad CA | 760-797-5579 |
| Communal Coffee | San Diego CA | 619-305-9525 |
| Vista Valley | Vista CA | 760-758-2800 |
| Brigantine La Mesa | La Mesa CA | 619-465-1935 |
| Four Seasons Residence Club | Carlsbad CA | 760-603-6360 |
| Pendry SD (Provisional) | San Diego CA | 619-738-7000 |
| Born & Raised | San Diego CA | 619-944-1631 |
| Swagyu Chop Shop-PB | San Diego CA | 858-758-0357 |
| Hive Sushi Lounge | San Diego CA | 619-218-4000 |
| All Aspects Catering and Events | San Diego CA | 855-287-7658 |
| Brigantine Imperial Beach | Imperial Beach CA | 619-591-1350 |
| Sushi Ota 2021 | San Diego CA | 858-270-5047 |
| Jujus Kitchen | Bonita CA | 619-471-5342 |
| Pacifica Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-792-0505 |
| The Guild Hotel | San Diego CA | 858-373-3184 |
| Lafayette Hotel | San Diego CA | 619-296-2101 |
| Beaumont's | San Diego CA | 858-459-0474 |
| Jeune Et Jolie | Carlsbad CA | 858-231-0862 |
| The Flavor Chef (Catering) | Vista CA | 619-295-3172 |
| The Tavern | Coronado CA | 602-628-5890 |
| Maderas Golf Club | Poway CA | 858-451-8100 |
| Seasoned Catering and Events | San Diego CA | 619-246-4909 |
| Stone Brewing-Liberty Station | San Diego CA | 619-269-2100 |
| Lodge at Torrey Pines Main | San Diego CA | 858-453-4420 |
| Huntress | San Diego CA | 619-955-5750 |
| Marriott Marquis North Tower | San Diego CA | 619-234-1500 |
| Hotel Del Coronado Serea Restaurant | Coronado CA | 619-435-6611 |
| Clos Wine Shop | San Diego CA | 619-915-6846 |
| Toast Catering | San Diego CA | 858-208-9422 |
| DS Catering Kitchen | Chula Vista CA | 619-703-9321 |
| HiroNori Ramen | San Diego CA | 619-446-9876 |
| Alila Marea Beach Resort (Banquets) | Encinitas CA | 805-539-9719 |
| Cloak and Petal | San Diego CA | 619-634-3970 |
| Bayhill Tavern | San Diego CA | 858-288-6923 |
| Farmer and The Seahorse 2020 | San Diego CA | 619-302-3682 |
| Park 101 | Carlsbad CA | 760-434-2217 |
| Barbarella La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-454-7373 |
| The Lion Share | San Diego CA | 619-564-6924 |
| The Compass | Carlsbad CA | 760-434-1900 |
| Del Mar Country Club | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-759-5500 x207 |
| Brigantine Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-481-1166 |
| Mesa College | San Diego CA | 619-388-2240 |
| Fairmont Grand Del Mar | San Diego CA | 858-314-1975 |
| Il Sogno Italiano | San Diego CA | 619-380-2652 |
| Mille Fleurs | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-756-3085 |
| Trust Restaurant | San Diego CA | 609-780-7572 |
| Fish 101 | Encinitas CA | 760-943-6221 |
| La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club | San Diego CA | 858-454-7126 |
| Barbusa | San Diego CA | 619-297-6333 |
| The Country Club Of Rancho Bernardo | San Diego CA | 858-451-9100 |
| Dija Mara 2021 | Oceanside CA | 760-231-5376 |
| San Diego Yacht Club | San Diego CA | 619-758-6334 |
| Gravity Heights Restaurant and Brewery | San Diego CA | 858-551-5105 |
| GoodOnYa | Encinitas CA | 949-295-3145 |
| Ruth's Chris Steak House DT | San Diego CA | 619-233-1422 |
| Lauberge Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-259-1515 |
| Ballast Point Restaurant - Little Italy | San Diego CA | 619-298-2337 |
| Harvest Kitchen | Vista CA | 619-709-0938 |
| US Grant Hotel Main | San Diego CA | 619-232-3121 |
| La Costa Resort & Spa Main Kitchen | Carlsbad CA | 760-930-7063 |
| Shogun Sportfishing | San Diego CA | 619-226-8030 |
| Pure Meal Prep SD | San Diego CA | 209-485-4861 |
| Jake's Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-755-2002 |
| C 2 C | San Diego CA | 619-972-9345 |
| Food Made Fresh | Carlsbad CA | 805-341-0149 |
| Cape Rey Carlsbad, a Hilton Resort | Carlsbad CA | 760-602-0800 |
| Comercializadora de Especialdides | Vista Hermosa Ej Chapuitepec B.C. | 646-128-7028 |
| Surf Side Cuisine | San Diego CA | 619-507-0891 |
| Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens | Escondido CA | 760-294-7866 |
| The Smoking Goat | San Diego CA | 858-232-4220 |
| Sbicca | Del Mar CA | 858-481-1001 |
| Chateau La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-459-4451 |
| Chateau Lake San Marcos | San Marcos CA | 760-670-5807 |
| The Switchboard Restaurant and Bar | Oceanside CA | 442-266-2781 |
| Secret Sister | San Diego CA | 619-281-0718 |
| Seasalt | Del Mar CA | 858-755-7100 |
| The Butchery | San Diego CA | 858-345-1524 |
| Georges at the Cove | San Diego CA | 858-454-4244 |
| Vineyard Gourmet Catering | Temecula CA | 951-858-1585 |
| Brigantine Poway | Poway CA | 858-486-3066 |
| insideOUT | San Diego CA | 619-888-8623 |
| Azuki Sushi Lounge | San Diego CA | 619-238-4760 |
| Barleymash | San Diego CA | 619-276-6700 x304 |
| Tender Greens-Mission Valley | San Diego CA | 310-954-1415 |
| Zeca Trading Co. | San Diego CA | 619-410-1576 |
| Dolce Pane & Vino | Del Mar CA | 858-832-1518 |
| Sheraton La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-453-5500 |
| J & Tonys | San Diego CA | 855-634-7664 |
| Fort Oak | San Diego CA | 619-795-6901 |
| Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-759-6063 |
| Zizikis | San Diego CA | 972-567-2396 |
| Firefly Beach | San Diego CA | 619-222-6440 |
| Black Raill Kitchen + Bar | Carlsbad CA | 619-454-9182 |
| Home Kitchen Culture | San Diego CA | 619-302-7655 |
| La Costa Glen North | Carlsbad CA | 760-704-1436 |
| Baja Cavi | Lomas de Valle Verde 22810 | 619-295-3172 |
| Yoann Taboyan, Personal Chef | San Diego CA | 347-277-1958 |
| Tender Greens-Broadway | San Diego CA | 619-807-1394 |
| Cal A Vie | Vista CA | 760-945-2055 |
| BFD-Big Front Door | San Diego CA | 619-723-8183 |
| La Costa Glen South | Carlsbad CA | 760-704-1000 |
| Bahia Resort Hotel | San Diego CA | 858-488-0551 |
| Polaris Supreme | San Diego CA | 619-390-7890 |
| Manhattan of La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-459-0700 |
| Carte Blanche Bistro & Bar | Oceanside CA | 619-297-3100 |
| Viejas Casino Banquets | Alpine Ca | 619-295-3172 |
| Urban Kitchen Catering | San Diego CA | 619-276-8803 |
| Barrel & Board | San Diego CA | 619-379-2574 |
| Madison | San Diego CA | 619-822-3465 |
| Luce | San Diego CA | 619-275-2094 |
| Viejas Casino Grove Steakhouse | Alpine CA | 800-295-3172 |
| Le Papagayo (Encinitas) | Encinitas CA | 760-944-8252 |
| Bekker's Catering | San Diego CA | 619-287-9027 |
| Grass Skirt | San Diego CA | 858-412-5237 |
| The Lab Restaurant | Oceanside CA | 619-861-8299 |
| Brigantine Escondido | Escondido CA | 760-743-4718 |
| Pour House | Oceanside CA | 760-730-5944 |
| Brigantine Pt Loma | San Diego CA | 619-224-2871 |
| Morning Glory | San Diego CA | 619-629-0302 |
| The Corner Drafthouse | San Diego CA | 619-255-2631 |
| Oyster and Pearl Bar Restaurant | La Mesa CA | 619-303-8118 |
| Orfila Vineyards & Winery | Oceanside CA | 760-738-6500 |
| Catania La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 619-295-3173 |
| Cutwater Spirits | San Diego CA | 619-672-3848 |
| Alila Marea Beach Resort | Encinitas CA | 805-539-9719 |
| US Grant Hotel Grill | San Diego CA | 619-232-3121 |
| Coast Catering | Escondido CA | 619-295-3173 |
| Local Tap House & Kitchen | Oceanside CA | 760-547-1469 |
| Ulivo | San Diego CA | 619-962-7345 |
| Rancho Valencia | Del Mar CA | 858-756-1123 |
| Pacific Coast Spirits | Oceanside CA | 925-381-5392 |
| Ridgeview Health Center | San Diego CA | 858-293-3950 |
| Encontro North Park | San Diego CA | 310-955-6333 |
| La Jolla Country Club | San Diego CA | 858-454-9601 |
| Reata Glen | Ladera Ranch CA | 949-545-2250 |
| Vagabond Sportfishing Inc. | San Diego CA | 619-993-9575 |
| Brigantine Coronado | Coronado CA | 619-435-4166 |
| Convention Center Shell | San Diego CA | 619-954-3063 |
| University Club | San Diego CA | 619-234-5200 |
| Miho | San Diego CA | 619-365-5655 |
| Food by Chef Ty | Vista CA | 323-506-1890 |
| InterContinental Banquet Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-501-9400 |
| Bencotto Italian Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-822-5493 |
| Don Pietro | San Diego CA | 619-255-7205 |
| Monarch | Del Mar CA | 619-308-6500 |
| Ska Bar & Restaurant | San Diego CA | 925-487-2025 |
| Primal Balance Nutrition LLC | San Marcos CA | 760-822-2904 |
| Piatti | San Diego CA | 858-454-1589 |
| Smoking Gun | San Diego CA | 619-276-6700 |
| PFC Fitness Camp | Carlsbad CA | 888-488-8936 |
| Communal Coffee - Oceanside | Oceanside CA | 619-920-7887 |
| Duke's La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-454-1999 |
| Hoxton Manor LLC | San Diego CA | 760-586-9533 |
| Sheraton Carlsbad (20/20) | Carlsbad CA | 760-827-2400 |
| Sorority Cuisine - Kappa Delta | San Diego CA | 510-512-2213 |
| Inn at Rancho Santa Fe | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-381-8289 |
| Estancia Adobe | San Diego CA | 858-550-1000 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Broccolini® (Aspirations). One
is easiest, three is harder.Recently Shared
People have shared Broccolini® (Aspirations) using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android.
Produce Sharing allows you to share your produce discoveries with your neighbors and the world! Is your market carrying green dragon apples? Is a chef doing things with shaved fennel that are out of this world? Pinpoint your location annonymously through the Specialty Produce App and let others know about unique flavors that are around them.
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Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United StatesAbout 3 days ago, 5/16/22 Sharer's comments : Broccolini from Mandoza Family Farms 
Virginia Park Farmer's Market
Mendoza Family Farms
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 48 days ago, 4/02/22 Sharer's comments : Broccolini from Mendoza Family Farms 
Hillcrest Farmers Market
Hukama Produce
Near San Diego, California, United StatesRamona, CA About 54 days ago, 3/27/22 
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United StatesAbout 67 days ago, 3/13/22 Sharer's comments : Broccolini from JR Organics 
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United StatesAbout 95 days ago, 2/13/22 Sharer's comments : Broccolini from JR Organics 
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United StatesAbout 116 days ago, 1/23/22 Sharer's comments : Broccolini from JR Organics 
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United StatesAbout 124 days ago, 1/15/22 Sharer's comments : Broccolini from JR. Organics 
Hillcrest Farmers Market
Hukama Produce
Near San Diego, California, United StatesRamona, CA About 130 days ago, 1/09/22 
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United StatesAbout 144 days ago, 12/26/21 Sharer's comments : Broccolini from JR Organics 
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United StatesAbout 399 days ago, 4/15/21 Sharer's comments : Broccolini from Jr Organics! 
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United StatesAbout 433 days ago, 3/12/21 Sharer's comments : Broccolini From Jr Organics 
Specialty Produce
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock Street San Diego, CA 92110 619-295-3172 About 450 days ago, 2/23/21 
Specialty Produce
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock street San Diego CA 91910 About 484 days ago, 1/21/21 Sharer's comments : Aspirations from Jr Organics! 
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United StatesAbout 651 days ago, 8/07/20 |
