Healthy and delicious, broccoli belongs to the cabbage family and is characterized by many small inflorescences divided into florets or branches, depending on the variety. Before cooking or eating them raw, be sure to clean them thoroughly to remove any dirt, residue from the chemicals they have been treated with, and any insects. You can wash them quickly and easily with water or a vinegar-based solution, while a mixture of water and salt will ensure you remove unwanted little guests.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Wash the Broccoli with Water
Step 1. Fill the sink with cold water and soak the broccoli for 5-10 minutes
Thoroughly clean the sink, plug it and fill it with water. Make sure the water level is high enough to keep the broccoli completely submerged. Leave the broccoli to soak to remove impurities and dirt.
- Before soaking them, move them briefly in the water to loosen the dirt.
- It is best to avoid using hot water, otherwise the inflorescences may wilt.
- If you don't want to use the sink, you can soak the broccoli in a large bowl, but make sure it is completely submerged in the water.
Step 2. Transfer the broccoli to a colander and rinse it under cold running water
After leaving them in the bathroom, empty the sink and turn on the cold water tap. Rinse the broccoli evenly by moving it around the colander.
If you don't have a colander available, hold the broccoli in your hand and move it under water to rinse it on all sides
Step 3. Rub the broccoli with your hands to remove dirt and other impurities
The florets hide multiple gaps and crevices where dirt can get trapped. To eliminate it, run your fingers over the inflorescences, along the sides and bottom of the stems.
If you have a brush for cleaning vegetables and fruit, you can use it to scrub the broccoli, but you must be extremely gentle when cleaning the buds. Remember that they are very fragile and can easily detach from the stem
Step 4. Shake the broccoli to remove excess water before cooking or serving
Hold them over the sink and let them drain out of the water for a few seconds, then gently shake them 3-4 times to remove as much water as possible from the buds and stems as well.
If they are still very wet, you can blot the broccoli with a clean kitchen towel or paper towel before cutting or cooking
Method 2 of 3: Wash the Broccoli with a Vinegar Based Solution
Step 1. Take a large bowl and fill it with 3 parts water and 1 part white wine vinegar
Make sure the bowl is large enough to hold all the broccoli. Mix the two liquids with a spoon and make sure the amount is enough to keep the broccoli completely submerged.
For example, if you put 750 ml of water in the bowl, then you will need to add 250 ml of white wine vinegar
Step 2. Leave the broccoli to soak for 15-20 minutes
Move them briefly inside the bowl to loosen the dirt, then let them soak undisturbed. While they are in the bathroom, you can prepare the other courses of the meal.
The vinegar solution requires a longer soak than just water, but is more effective on chemical residues and bacteria
Step 3. Remove the broccoli from the vinegar solution and rinse them under cold running water
Scrub the stem and florets with your fingers or a vegetable brush as you rinse them. Make sure that the stream of water also reaches the underside of the stems and buds.
Do not leave the broccoli to soak for more than 30 minutes, otherwise they may begin to absorb the vinegar and take on a bitter taste
Method 3 of 3: Wash the Broccoli with Salt Water to Remove Bugs
Step 1. Soak the florets in cold water
If you have harvested broccoli from your garden or if it comes from organic farming, you may be concerned that insects, especially caterpillars, are hidden among the florets.
Generally, the caterpillars live among the inflorescences, where they have the opportunity to hide. If you are concerned that they are also on the stems, you can soak the broccoli in the water completely with the buds facing down
Step 2. Add one teaspoon (5g) of salt to every liter of cold water
Add the salt after putting the broccoli upside down in the bowl, then move it briefly in the water to dissolve it. With this treatment you will make sure that most of the caterpillars come out of their hiding place and end up in the water.
Leave the broccoli to soak even if you don't see any insects in the water as they may be hidden
Step 3. Let the broccoli soak for 15-30 minutes for the caterpillars to come out of their hiding places
While the broccoli is soaking in the salt water, the caterpillars hidden among the florets will contract from the cold water and come to the surface. At that point, you can remove them from the water using a colander or slotted spoon.
You don't have to remove the caterpillars from the water, but this will prevent them from sticking to the broccoli again
Step 4. Rinse the broccoli with cold water
Since they have been soaked in salt water, it is important to rinse the broccoli. Hold them under cold water for 15 seconds and rinse them on all sides to make sure there are no salt residues on the buds.
If you haven't scrubbed the broccoli with your fingers or a vegetable brush yet, you can do it now while rinsing it out of the salt water
Step 5. Shake and dry the broccoli
Keep them upside down on the sink and gently tap the stems to flush out any remaining insects. Take a clean kitchen towel and pat them to absorb excess water, then carefully inspect the buds to make sure there are no other unwanted guests.
