




Broccolini® (Aspirations)
Inventory, 18 ct : 163.92
This item was last sold on : 06/01/23
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.
Vista Valley | Vista CA | 760-758-2800 |
Miho | San Diego CA | 619-365-5655 |
Duke's La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-454-1999 |
The Shores | La Jolla CA | 858-459-8271 |
Piatti | San Diego CA | 858-454-1589 |
Town & Country San Diego | San Diego CA | 619-291-7131 |
Campo Gourmet | ||
DS Catering Kitchen | Chula Vista CA | 619-703-9321 |
Mesa College | San Diego CA | 619-388-2240 |
Cardiff Seaside Market | Cardiff CA | 760-753-5445 |
Swagyu Chop Shop-PB | San Diego CA | 858-758-0357 |
Fish 101 | Encinitas CA | 760-943-6221 |
San Diego Yacht Club | San Diego CA | 619-758-6334 |
Saint Mark Golf and Resort, LLC | San Marcos CA | 508-320-6644 |
Alila Marea Beach Resort (Banquets) | Encinitas CA | 805-539-9719 |
Ulivo | San Diego CA | 619-962-7345 |
Lauberge Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-259-1515 |
Civico 1845 | San Diego CA | 574-210-4025 |
Kitchens For Good | San Diego CA | 619-450-4040 |
Bang Bang | San Diego CA | 619-382-8938 |
Public Square Coffee House | La Mesa CA | 619-729-2672 |
Monarch | Del Mar CA | 619-308-6500 |
The Wild Thyme Company | San Diego CA | 858-527-0226 |
The Plot | Oceanside CA | 422-266-8200 |
Catania La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-551-5105 |
Swagyu Chop Shop | Imperial Beach CA | 858-822-8377 |
Vineyard Gourmet Catering | Temecula CA | 951-858-1585 |
Catamaran | San Diego CA | 858-488-1081 |
Pamplemousse Grill | Solana Beach CA | 858-792-9090 |
Cody's La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-459-0040 |
The Seabird Resort | Oceanside CA | 951-704-9703 |
All Aspects Catering and Events | San Diego CA | 855-287-7658 |
Barbarella La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-454-7373 |
Bayhill Tavern | San Diego CA | 858-288-6923 |
Comercializadora de Especialdides | Vista Hermosa Ej Chapuitepec B.C. | 646 128 7028 |
Southwestern Yacht Club | San Diego CA | 619-222-0438 |
Campfire | Carlsbad CA | 760-637-5121 |
Hoxton Manor | San Diego CA | 760-586-9533 |
MCRD-Marine Corps Recruit Dept | San Diego CA | 619-725-6478 |
PFC Fitness Camp | Carlsbad CA | 888-488-8936 |
Glenbrook Health Center | Carlsbad CA | 760-704-1000 |
Secret Sister | San Diego CA | 619-281-0718 |
Lodge at Torrey Pines Main | San Diego CA | 858-453-4420 |
A & M catering | San Diego CA | 206-802-8320 |
Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens | Escondido CA | 915-861-2297 |
Coast Catering | Escondido CA | 619-295-3173 |
Sugar Bear Enterprises | San Diego CA | 925-383-3623 |
Cape Rey Carlsbad, a Hilton Resort | Carlsbad CA | 760-602-0800 |
Brigantine La Mesa | La Mesa CA | 619-465-1935 |
Town & Country Banquet | San Diego CA | 8002219730 |
Hotel Del Coronado Serea Restaurant | Coronado CA | 619-435-6611 |
UCSD Food & Nutrition Department La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-761-1269 |
Sbicca | Del Mar CA | 858-481-1001 |
Portside Pier (Brigantine) | San Diego CA | 858-268-1030 |
Brigantine Escondido | Escondido CA | 760-743-4718 |
Paradise Point Resort Barefoot | San Diego CA | 858-490-6363 |
Polaris Supreme | San Diego CA | 619-390-7890 |
Q&A Oyster Bar & Restaurant | Oceanside CA | 858-245-3780 |
Waverly | Cardiff CA | 619-244-0416 |
Revolution Roasters | Oceanside CA | 760-330-6827 |
Gravity Heights Restaurant and Brewery | San Diego CA | 858-551-5105 |
Marriott Del Mar | San Diego CA | 858-369-6029 |
Pendry SD (Lion Fish) | San Diego CA | 619-738-7000 |
Bahia Resort Hotel | San Diego CA | 858-488-0551 |
Maderas Golf Club | Poway CA | 858-451-8100 |
Terra Restaurant | San Diego CA | 619-293-7088 |
Seasoned Catering and Events | San Diego CA | 619-246-4909 |
Solare Ristorante Lounge | San Diego CA | 619-270-9670 |
Viejas Casino Grove Steakhouse | Alpine CA | 800-295-3172 |
Smoking Gun | San Diego CA | 619-276-6700 |
Birds Eye (Prep Kitchen) | San Diego CA | 619-780-0974 |
Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-759-6063 |
Fish 101 Cardiff | Cardiff CA | 619-753-7139 |
Continental Catering Inc | La Mesa CA | 907-738-9264 |
The Tavern | Coronado CA | 602-628-5890 |
264 Fresco (Kitchen) | Carlsbad CA | 760-720-3737 |
Juniper & Ivy | San Diego CA | 858-481-3666 |
The Compass | Carlsbad CA | 760-434-1900 |
Born & Raised | San Diego CA | 619-944-1631 |
Shogun Sportfishing | San Diego CA | 619-226-8030 |
Farmers Bottega | San Diego CA | 619-306-8963 |
AToN Center Inc. | Encinitas CA | 858-759-5017 |
Hilton Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-792-5200 x4234 |
Deeply Nourished | San Diego CA | 808-489-7366 |
Vincents | Escondido CA | 760-745-3835 |
Encontro North Park | San Diego CA | 310-955-6333 |
Camino Riviera | San Diego CA | 619-685-3881 |
Beach Plum Kitchen | Carlsbad CA | 760-688-8682 |
La Costa Glen North | Carlsbad CA | 760-704-1436 |
Pacifica Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-792-0505 |
Sheraton Carlsbad (20/20) | Carlsbad CA | 760-827-2400 |
The Lion Share | San Diego CA | 619-564-6924 |
Toast Catering | San Diego CA | 858-208-9422 |
Hotel Indigo | San Diego CA | 619-295-3172 |
RoVino Rotisserie + Wine | San Diego CA | 619-972-6286 |
Herb & Sea | Encinitas CA | 858-587-6601 |
Huntress | San Diego CA | 619-955-5750 |
Zizikis | San Diego CA | 972-567-2396 |
Mission Bay Yacht Club | San Diego CA | 858-488-0501 |
Reata Glen | Ladera Ranch CA | 949-545-2250 |
Cal A Vie | Vista CA | 760-945-2055 |
Coffee Hub and Café | San Diego CA | (619)738-1482 |
On the Crawl Concepts-Inland Tavern | San Marcos CA | 760-744-8782 |
The Butchery | San Diego CA | 858-345-1524 |
The Switchboard Restaurant and Bar | Oceanside CA | 442-266-2781 |
Tavola Nostra Pizzeria E Cucina | San Diego CA | 619-921-4206 |
HiroNori Ramen | San Diego CA | 619-446-9876 |
Izakaya Maize/Rabih Sus | La Mesa CA | 619-395-6383 |
C 2 C | San Diego CA | 619-972-9345 |
Hotel Republic San Diego | San Diego CA | 951-756-9357 |
The Handmade Chef Meal Prep Co. | San Diego CA | 619-368-3705 |
Madison | San Diego CA | 619-822-3465 |
Sycuan Casino | El Cajon CA | 619-445-6002 |
Panama 66 | San Diego CA | 619-206-6352 |
Beaumont's | San Diego CA | 858-459-0474 |
Herb & Wood | San Diego CA | 520-205-1288 |
Zeca Trading Co. | San Diego CA | 619-410-1576 |
La Costa Resort & Spa Main Kitchen | Carlsbad CA | 760-930-7063 |
Giuseppe Restaurants & Fine Catering | San Diego CA | 619-838-8268 |
Humphery's | San Diego CA | 619-224-3577 |
The Remy | San Diego CA | 619-886-1358 |
Sycuan Casino - Bull & Bourbon | El Cajon CA | 619-445-6002 |
Sheraton Carlsbad (7 Mile) | Carlsbad CA | 760-827-2400 |
Azuki Sushi Lounge | San Diego CA | 619-238-4760 |
Swagyu Inc. | Poway CA | 619-519-6043 |
JRDN Restaurant | San Diego CA | 858-270-5736 |
Jake's Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-755-2002 |
Stone Brewing-Liberty Station | San Diego CA | 619-269-2100 |
One Door North | San Diego CA | 858-232-4220 |
Kingfisher | San Diego CA | 619-861-8074 |
Carte Hotel | San Diego CA | 619-365-1858 |
Cucina Sorella | San Diego CA | 858-232-7808 |
Fairmont Grand Del Mar | San Diego CA | 858-314-1975 |
Alila Marea Beach Resort | Encinitas CA | 805-539-9719 |
The Flavor Chef (Catering) | Vista CA | 619-295-3172 |
Giaola | Carlsbad CA | 858-266-9303 |
Candor | La Jolla CA | 858-581-2205 |
Brigantine Pt Loma | San Diego CA | 619-224-2871 |
Del Mar Country Club | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-759-5500 x207 |
Harvest Kitchen | Vista CA | 619-709-0938 |
Convention Center Shell | San Diego CA | 619-954-3063 |
US Grant Hotel Grill | San Diego CA | 619-232-3121 |
Brigantine Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-481-1166 |
Seneca | San Diego CA | 619-588-2411 |
Orfila Vineyards & Winery | Oceanside CA | 760-738-6500 |
Rustic Root | San Diego CA | 619-232-1747 |
Pali Wine Company | San Diego CA | 310-893-0038 |
The Glen at Scripps Ranch | San Diego CA | 858-444-8500 |
The Smoking Goat | San Diego CA | 858-232-4220 |
The Farm Golf Club | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-756-5585 |
Juan Tequila | San Diego CA | 520-395-7565 |
Ridgeview Health Center | San Diego CA | 858-293-3950 |
Barleymash | San Diego CA | 619-276-6700 x304 |
Fishery | San Diego CA | 858-272-9985 |
Avant | San Diego CA | 858-675-8505 |
Searcher Sportfishing | San Diego CA | 619-861-4640 |
Rancho Valencia | Del Mar CA | 858-756-1123 |
Cloak and Petal | San Diego CA | 619- 634-3970 |
Mermaids & Cowboys | La Jolla CA | 858-999-0205 |
Brigantine Coronado | Coronado CA | 619-435-4166 |
BFD-Big Front Door | San Diego CA | 619-723-8183 |
Sheraton Carlsbad (Banquets) | Carlsbad CA | 760-827-2400 |
Viejas Casino Banquets | Alpine Ca | 619-295-3172 |
Vogue Tavern | Chula Vista CA | 619-371-3322 |
La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club | San Diego CA | 858-454-7126 |
Nolita Hall | San Diego CA | 619-618-8820 |
Hyatt Islandia | San Diego CA | 619-224-1234 |
Urban Kitchen Catering | San Diego CA | 619-276-8803 |
Primal Balance Nutrition LLC | San Marcos CA | 760-822-2904 |
Huntress (Banquet) | San Diego CA | 619-955-5750 |
Sheraton La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-453-5500 |
Inn at Rancho Santa Fe | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-381-8289 |
Georges at the Cove | San Diego CA | 858-454-4244 |
Estancia Adobe | San Diego CA | 858-550-1000 |
Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-756-1582 |
La Jolla Country Club | San Diego CA | 858-454-9601 |
Kairoa Brewing Company | San Diego CA | 858-735-0051 |
US Grant Hotel Main | San Diego CA | 619-232-3121 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Broccolini® (Aspirations). One

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Mendoza Family Farms
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 16 days ago, 5/17/23 Sharer's comments : Broccolini from Mendoza Family Farms ![]() ![]()
Mendoza Family Farms
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 23 days ago, 5/10/23 Sharer's comments : Broccolini from Mendoza Family Farms ![]() ![]()
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock St Suite 150 San Diego CA 92110 619-295-3172 https://specialtyproduce.com About 27 days ago, 5/06/23 Sharer's comments : Broccolini from JR Organics ![]() ![]()
Mendoza Family Farms
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 37 days ago, 4/26/23 Sharer's comments : Broccolini from Mendoza Family Farms ![]() ![]()
Jr Organics
Near San Diego, California, United StatesAbout 41 days ago, 4/22/23 Sharer's comments : Broccolini from JR Organics ![]() ![]()
Mendoza Family Farms
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 51 days ago, 4/12/23 Sharer's comments : Broccolini from Mendoza Family Farms ![]() ![]()
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock St Suite 150 San Diego CA 92110 619-295-3172 https://specialtyproduce.com About 83 days ago, 3/11/23 Sharer's comments : Broccolini from JR Organics ![]() ![]()
Specialty Produce
Near Santa Monica, California, United States1929 Hancock St Suite 150 San Diego CA 92110 619-295-3172 https://specialtyproduce.com About 93 days ago, 3/01/23 Sharer's comments : Broccolini from Mendoza Family Farms ![]() ![]()
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock St Suite 150 San Diego CA 92110 619-295-3172 https://specialtyproduce.com About 145 days ago, 1/08/23 Sharer's comments : Broccolini from JR Organics ![]() ![]()
Mendoza Family Farms
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 170 days ago, 12/14/22 Sharer's comments : Broccolini from Mendoza Family Farms ![]() ![]()
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock St Suite 150, San Diego, CA 92110 619-295-3172 https://specialtyproduce.com About 292 days ago, 8/14/22 Sharer's comments : Broccolini from Mendoza Family Farms ![]() ![]() About 382 days ago, 5/16/22 Sharer's comments : Broccolini from Mandoza Family Farms ![]() ![]()
Mendoza Family Farms
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 426 days ago, 4/02/22 Sharer's comments : Broccolini from Mendoza Family Farms ![]() ![]()
Hukama Produce
Near San Diego, California, United StatesRamona, CA About 432 days ago, 3/27/22 ![]() ![]() About 446 days ago, 3/13/22 Sharer's comments : Broccolini from JR Organics ![]() ![]() About 474 days ago, 2/13/22 Sharer's comments : Broccolini from JR Organics ![]() ![]() About 495 days ago, 1/23/22 Sharer's comments : Broccolini from JR Organics ![]() About 503 days ago, 1/15/22 Sharer's comments : Broccolini from JR. Organics ![]() ![]()
Hukama Produce
Near San Diego, California, United StatesRamona, CA About 509 days ago, 1/09/22 ![]() ![]() About 523 days ago, 12/26/21 Sharer's comments : Broccolini from JR Organics |