Rapini

Broccoli raab, raw
Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz)
Energy	92 kJ (22 kcal)
Carbohydrates	2.85 g
Sugars	0.38 g
Dietary fiber	2.7 g
Fat	0.49 g
Protein	3.17 g
Vitamins	Quantity %DV†
Vitamin A equiv. beta-Carotene lutein zeaxanthin	16% 131 μg 15%1573 μg 1121 μg
Thiamine (B1)	14% 0.162 mg
Riboflavin (B2)	11% 0.129 mg
Niacin (B3)	8% 1.221 mg
Pantothenic acid (B5)	6% 0.322 mg
Vitamin B6	13% 0.171 mg
Folate (B9)	21% 83 μg
Vitamin C	24% 20.2 mg
Vitamin E	11% 1.62 mg
Vitamin K	213% 224 μg
Minerals	Quantity %DV†
Calcium	11% 108 mg
Iron	16% 2.14 mg
Magnesium	6% 22 mg
Manganese	19% 0.395 mg
Phosphorus	10% 73 mg
Potassium	4% 196 mg
Sodium	2% 33 mg
Zinc	8% 0.77 mg
Other constituents	Quantity
Water	92.55 g
	Link to USDA Database entry
	Units; μg = micrograms • mg = milligrams; IU = International units;
	†Percentages are roughly approximated using US recommendations for adults. ; Source: USDA Nutrient Database

Rapini
Species	Brassica rapa
Cultivar group	Ruvo group

Rapini, commonly marketed in the United States as broccoli raab or broccoli rabe /rɑːb/, is a green cruciferous vegetable. The edible parts are the leaves, buds, and stems. The buds somewhat resemble broccoli, but do not form a large head. Rapini is known for its slightly bitter taste and is particularly associated with Italian, Galician, and Portuguese cuisines. Within the Italian tradition, the plant is associated especially with southern Italian cuisines such as those of Naples, Campania, and Apulia.

In Italy, broccoli rabe is known by different names: in Naples it is known as friarielli; in Rome broccoletti; in Apulia cime di rapa (literally meaning "turnip tops"). It is also known as broccoli friarelli and sometimes broccoli di rape, rapi, or rapini. In Portugal and Spain they are called grelos.

Classification

The plant is a member of the tribe Brassiceae of the Brassicaceae (mustard family). Rapini is classified scientifically as Brassica rapa subspecies rapa,^[1] in the same subspecies as the turnip, but has also been treated as Brassica rapa ruvo, Brassica rapa rapifera, Brassica ruvo, and Brassica campestris ruvo.

Description

The young leaves of these plants as used in cooking are either the same as or the South European equivalent of turnip tops or turnip greens.

Rapini has many spiked leaves that surround clusters of green buds that resemble small heads of broccoli. Small, edible yellow flowers may be blooming among the buds. The flavor of rapini has been described as nutty, bitter, and pungent.^[2] The flavour is also reminiscent of mustard greens. Rapini is a source of vitamins A, C, and K, as well as potassium, calcium, and iron.^[3]

The cultivated vegetable probably descends from a wild herb related to the turnip that grew either in China or the Mediterranean region. Rapini is now grown throughout the world, and is available all year long with a peak season of fall to spring.

Culinary use

Lacón con grelos, a typical Galician dish: pork shoulder ham with rapini, along with steamed potatoes and a sausage

Rapini needs little more than a trim at the base. The entire stalk is edible, although it may become more fibrous depending on the season.^[4]

In Europe, rapini is widely used in southern Italian cuisine (in particular Basilicata, Apulia, Campania, and Sicily), in Roman cuisine, in northern Portuguese cuisine and in that of Galicia, Spain.

In southern Lazio, Frosinone, Ciociaria, it is usually sauteed with garlic and chili pepper, and served with sausages and fresh baked bread so as to make a sandwich. In the Central Italy regions, rapini sautéed with garlic, chili pepper and guanciale can be a side dish for porchetta, grilled pork ribs, sausages and other pork dishes. In Apulia, its most famous use is in "orecchiette ".

One common method of preparation includes boiling the rapini in boiling saltwater before sautéeing in olive oil with garlic and chili pepper.

Blanching is a common first step for preparation, after which rapini may be cooked in various ways, including sautéing, grilling, or roasting.

In the United States, rapini is popular in Italian-American kitchens, particularly in southern New England, where it is a common filling for submarine sandwiches and a component of pasta dishes, especially when accompanied by Italian sausage.^[5]

References

↑ "Brassica rapa subsp. rapa". Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Agricultural Research Service (ARS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved 12 December 2017.
↑ Resources, University of California Agriculture and Natural. "Rapini/Broccoli Raab". sonomamg.ucanr.edu. Retrieved 2018-06-17.
↑ Broccoli Raab Nutrition Facts
↑ Elizabeth., Schneider, (2001). Vegetables from amaranth to zucchini : the essential reference : 500 recipes and 275 photographs (1st ed.). New York: Morrow. ISBN 0688152600. OCLC 46394048.
↑ "Broccoli Rabe Pasta with Italian Sausage and Fennel | Familystyle Food". Familystyle Food. 2017-10-29. Retrieved 2018-09-10.

External links

Media related to Brassica rapa at Wikimedia Commons

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.

[1] "Brassica rapa subsp. rapa". Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Agricultural Research Service (ARS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved 12 December 2017.

[2] Resources, University of California Agriculture and Natural. "Rapini/Broccoli Raab". sonomamg.ucanr.edu. Retrieved 2018-06-17.

[3] Broccoli Raab Nutrition Facts

[4] Elizabeth., Schneider, (2001). Vegetables from amaranth to zucchini : the essential reference : 500 recipes and 275 photographs (1st ed.). New York: Morrow. ISBN 0688152600. OCLC 46394048.

[5] "Broccoli Rabe Pasta with Italian Sausage and Fennel | Familystyle Food". Familystyle Food. 2017-10-29. Retrieved 2018-09-10.