Broccolini

More About Broccolini

While it might look like it, Broccolini is not baby broccoli. This lanky vegetable is a hybrid; first created in 1993, it's a cross between broccoli and Chinese broccoli. It has small florets, long stalks, and a few small leaves — all of which are edible.

Compared to the bitter flavor of regular broccoli, Broccolini is more mild, with a sweet, earthy taste. And while it can be eaten raw, Broccolini is best when cooked. It can be sautéed, steamed, roasted, and grilled.

Recipes Using Broccolini

• 10-Minute Miso Broccolini
• Broccolini with Butter Beans

More About Broccoli Rabe

Broccoli rabe isn't actually related to broccoli. Instead, it's closely related to the turnip. And the best way to approach it is just as you would with bitter leafy greens, like mustard greens or turnip greens.

This long, slender vegetable, which may also be referred to as broccoli raab and is similar to rapini, has thin stalks with deep-green leaves and small buds that resemble broccoli florets. Broccoli rabe is sold fresh in grocery stores and farmers markets, and is at its peak in the cold months of winter.

Although the flavor mellows somewhat as it cooks, broccoli rabe has a bitter taste that's also a bit earthy and nutty. It's particularly popular in Italian cuisine, and best when sautéed or blanched to soften the stalks and leaves.

Recipes Using Broccoli Rabe

• Tomato-Braised Lentils with Broccoli Rabe
• Rapini With Orecchiette And White Beans
• Sesame Broccoli Rabe

More About Chinese Broccoli

Chinese broccoli — also known as kai-lan, gai-lan, and Chinese kale — is a leafy green vegetable closely related to thick-stemmed broccoli, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts. It has flat leaves, thick stems, and tiny florets.

Widely eaten in Chinese, Vietnamese, and Thai cuisine, Chinese broccoli has a slightly bitter and earthy taste, and is best after a quick steam or sauté, or in a stir-fry. It may prove tough to find Chinese broccoli in large grocery stores, so check your local Asian market, which is more likely to carry it.

Can They Be Used Interchangeably?

The short answer is yes, but there are a few caveats.

Because they vary in size and shape, certain swaps work better than others. If you're focused on florets, broccoli and Broccolini can easily be used interchangeably. If you're cooking with the broccoli stalk, Chinese broccoli also has a thick stem and makes a good substitute. And if the leafy greens are what you're after, broccoli rabe and Chinese broccoli can be used for one another. Do keep in mind that you may have to adjust the cook time to account for the swap.