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Broccoli beckons
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A former U.S. President hated it, but moms all over the world swear by the nutritive value of broccoli.
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"I DO not like broccoli. And I haven't liked it since I was a little kid and my mother made me eat it. And I'm President of the United States and I'm not going to eat any more broccoli," said George Bush Sr.
Bush's off-the-cuff remarks drew howls of protest from parents, broccoli farmers and, not least, doctors and nutritionists. As if parents weren't already having a tough time getting their children to eat the stuff!
The Etruscans, who lived in Turkey nearly 3,000 years ago introduced broccoli into the Mediterranean region. The Romans loved it. Catherine de Medici of Tuscany introduced the snooty French to this cauliflower-like oddity when she married Henry II in 1533 AD, but no respectable French cook would touch it. After nearly 200 years of disfavour, life began again for the broccoli when Thomas Jefferson, the "farmer President", planted it in America.
The early 20th century influx of Italian immigrants into America fired up its popularity, and today, it is one of the world's most favourite vegetables. Broccoli is one of the most nutritious low-calorie food around. It is more nutritious cooked than raw as cooking breaks down the indigestible cell walls of the vegetable and releases nutrients.
One cup of cooked broccoli contains only 45 calories, but as much calcium as 120 ml of milk, as much Vitamin C as an orange, 10 per cent of daily iron requirement, and most of one's daily Vitamin A and folic acid needs.
The dark green florets are rich in beta-carotene, a precursor of Vitamin A and a potent antioxidant. It also contains valuable amounts of B-complex Vitamins - thiamine, riboflavin and niacin.
The rich fibre, Vitamin C and antioxidant content make it one of the most potent anti-cancer vegetables around. The cancer-fighters also help prevent heart disease.
The calcium pectate fibre helps keep blood cholesterol low. Chromium, found in appreciable amounts in broccoli, may help prevent adult-onset diabetes.
Lightly steamed broccoli is the most nutritious preparation. Choose the darkest coloured florets: they are the richest in vitamins and carotenes.
M. RAJIV
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