
Broccoli
The broccoli we enjoy today is the result of careful breeding in the northern Mediterranean starting around the 6th century BC. Starting with the Romans, broccoli has been uniquely valued among Italians. Broccoli came to England from Belgium in the mid-18th century, was first brought to the United States by Southern Italian immigrants but didn’t gain popularity until the 1920s.
Heading broccoli is a cool season crop, but sprouting or leaf broccoli does better in warmer weather.