Romanesco cabbage: all its properties and health benefits

Romanesco cabbage belongs to the Cruciferous or Brassicaceae family, along with cabbages, broccoli, cauliflower, turnips, radishes, watercress, arugula, turmeric, mustard or rapeseed. It is actually an inflorescence incapable of producing true flowers, which is believed to have happened from the 15th century.

Contrary to what is often said, it is not a hybrid between cauliflower and broccoli, but rather a green variety of Italian cauliflower, which are the oldest. There are also purple and yellow cauliflowers, but none have that unique shape.

The romanesco cabbage It is in the markets from September to April. It is cultivated mainly in Italy, Spain, French Brittany and southern England. Spain plants more than 30% of the European total.

Romanesco cabbage properties

Romanesco, like almost all vegetables, does not stand out for its protein or fat content, although these provide small doses of omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids; nor for its carbohydrates, although part of them are healthy soluble fibers that help lower cholesterol.

But it does stand out for its vitamin C (a 100-gram serving covers the total recommended daily amount, even after cooking it briefly) and because of its vitamin K, Known as antihemorrhagic for its key role in blood coagulation.

Your contribution is also important. antioxidant vitamin E, which is unusual in a product so low in fat.

And in it are equally good doses of folic acid and other B vitamins, specifically B6 and B2.

folic acid it is essential for the synthesis of DNA when new cells are created, as well as for the production of red and white blood cells, as is B6, which also acts on substances that regulate mood and is involved in the production of energy and the muscle performance.

Vitamin B2 complements the antioxidant action of E and participates in the transformation of food into energy.
Between his most abundant minerals are potassium, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, manganese and iron.

What is its spectacular appearance due to?

When we observe the Romanesque we have the deep sensation that, in it, the harmonious beauty of everything that we can observe in nature has revealed the mathematical structure that underlies everything created, from an atom to a galaxy.

Experts call it the “fractal cabbage”, because its shape fulfills a mathematical equation that is repeated from the first piece to infinity.

It is a wonder of nature. If we took a sprig of a Romanesque and enlarged it, we would see that its structure is identical to the cabbage from which it comes.

And if we look at it with a magnifying glass, we would verify that each of the tiny points that make it up have the same geometric composition than the whole plant.

In nature there are numerous examples of this, such as some shells, snowflakes or the nerves of the leaves, but this plant is undoubtedly one of the most spectacular and beautiful.

Its proportions store equations, ratios and mathematical constants such as Fibonacci sequence or the golden ratio.

Health benefits of romanesco cabbage

All these micronutrients and others not mentioned make it a beneficial food for blood, cell and bone renewal, the immune response, energy use, protection against free radicals and the absorption of iron and calcium. It also contributes to the homeostasis of the organism by alkalizing the blood.

Anticholesterol. A soluble fiber, calcium pectate, also very abundant in carrots, helps to control and lower blood cholesterol levels.Diuretic. Consuming Romanesco can also benefit the kidneys, due to its slightly diuretic and purifying effect of toxins.Anticancer. Glucosinolates abound in Romanesco, compounds that remain inactive until they react with the enzyme myrosinase. Then they are transformed into isothiocyanates, molecules with proven anticancer action that help the body to expel polluting substances that are precursors of the disease, inhibit cell division that gives rise to tumors, and stimulate the death of already formed cells.
Isothiocyanates, sulforaphanes, indoles, polyphenols, flavonoids, sulfur compounds and many other substances have already been shown in numerous studies to have beneficial effects in the prevention of lung, ovarian, kidney, breast, prostate, colon or bladder cancer.
For that reaction to occur, Romanesco must be cut, chopped, or chewed. Cooking stops the formation of isothiocyanates, so it is not a bad idea to leave it cut for a few minutes beforehand.heart healthy. Some studies seem to suggest that a high consumption of crucifers is usually associated with low concentrations of homocysteine ​​in the blood, a substance that is considered a risk factor for cardiovascular disorders.protector of the brain. The first results of a study on various aspects of memory seem to indicate that regular consumption of vegetables from the cabbage family could help in the fight against the loss of mental faculties associated with certain degenerative diseases.

Romanesco cabbage in the kitchen

The first thing we can do with it is taste it as is, raw. First it is washed well, even leaving it in a brief soak. Raw, in addition to providing more nutrients, it is more digestible, provided, of course, that it is chewed well.

It can be prepared in salads, as crudités accompanied by other vegetables and dipping sauces. It can also be added for the same purpose to miso soups, broths and creams when serving them.

the steam, the stew, the papillote or the brief sauté are very suitable options for cooking, and in fact they tend to be the most frequent. If you want firm textures, 10 minutes are enough; to make it tender and lose its beautiful lime color, it will take 20 to 30.

The time will change if it is cooked whole or by separating the florets. Several techniques can also be combined as the Orientals usually do: 10 minutes of steaming and 5 of sautéing, For example.