The light egg-free broccoli casserole or broccoli casserole is a light and tasty side dish.
I used boiled Sicilian broccoli with added whole wheat breadcrumbs and grated cheese.
Don’t forget to count it in your meal.
It is a recipe that started as a fridge-cleanout but is so good that I often make it on purpose.
With its intense green color, despite the winter seasonality, it brings a little taste of spring to the table.
The Sicilian broccoli is a typical variety from southern Italy.
With an intense green color, it belongs to the Cruciferae family and is highly appreciated because it has a milder smell and a more delicate flavor compared to other broccoli varieties.
In Sicily, in the Ragusa area, it is called scramuzza or scramuzzatura.
Choose small or medium broccoli, firm and with bright green florets, avoiding yellow and wilted ones.
Typical varieties from southern Italy: Sicilian broccoli, Calabrian broccoli, and Apulian broccoli – known as ramosi – green and rich in benefits, are very similar and generally referred to as southern broccoli.
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cost: Cheap
- Preparation time: 20 Minutes
- Portions: 2 People
- Cooking methods: Electric oven
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
- 1 head broccoli (Sicilian)
- as needed water
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 pinch baking soda
- 14 oz broccoli (boiled)
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 pinch mixed peppercorns (with grinder)
- 2 tbsp breadcrumbs (or whole wheat breadcrumbs)
- 2 tbsp cheese (grated: Grana or Parmesan)
- 1 pinch nutmeg
- 1 drizzle extra virgin olive oil (raw)
Suggested Tools
- Knife
- Cutting Board
- Chopper or Mixer
Preparation
Cut the broccoli into florets and slightly score the stems of the florets with a knife.
Place the florets in a colander and wash them thoroughly under running water.
* for a more thorough cleaning, soak the florets in water with a little baking soda for at least 20 minutes.When boiling, use as little water as possible to best preserve its beneficial properties.
In a pot, bring salted water to a boil.
Add the broccoli florets and a pinch of baking soda to keep them bright green and cook for about 8-10 minutes until tender but not falling apart.Cooking time for broccoli
– 8 minutes for firm broccoli that holds its shape;
– 10 minutes for softer broccoli perfect for blending or making into a cream;
decide based on the desired consistency.With the help of a slotted spoon, gently remove the broccoli florets and transfer them to a container.
Weigh approximately 14 oz of well-drained boiled Sicilian broccoli.
Pour into the mixer:
– the boiled Sicilian broccoli in pieces;
– a pinch of salt;
– a pinch of pepper;
and blend to obtain a coarse mixture.Transfer to a bowl and add:
– the breadcrumbs or whole wheat breadcrumbs, two 15 g scoops or 2 heaping tablespoons;
– the grated cheese, two 15 g scoops or 2 heaping tablespoons;
– a pinch of nutmeg;
adjust salt and pepper and mix the ingredients well to obtain a homogeneous mixture.Line a loaf pan with a sheet of parchment paper.
Transfer the mixture into the pan and level it with a silicone spatula.Preheat the oven.
Bake in a fan oven at 350°F for about 15 minutes.Let cool slightly and remove it from the pan by lifting it with the parchment paper, then transfer it to a flat plate.
Serve in slices.
Grind some more pepper and drizzle with a bit of extra virgin olive oil raw.Your light egg-free broccoli casserole or broccoli casserole is ready.
Enjoy your meal!
You can consume it as a side dish.
Storage, Tips, and Variations
Meal prep
Boil a whole broccoli to have more portions available to enjoy as a side dish and use as an ingredient.
As an alternative to the loaf pan, you can use muffin molds and make broccoli muffins.
The broccoli mixture is suitable for making broccoli patties and burgers.
You can serve your broccoli casserole with a light cheese sauce: Greek yogurt sauce or dressing or ricotta and sun-dried tomato cream with basil and almonds.
You can omit the cheese.
You can replace nutmeg with turmeric.
With simple substitutions, this recipe easily adapts to:
– a lactose-free version;
– a gluten-free version;
– a vegan version.
The broccoli casserole keeps in the refrigerator for a day in an airtight container.
You can reheat it in the oven.
FAQ (Questions and Answers)
How to substitute Sicilian broccoli?
You can use other varieties of broccoli or cauliflower.
Can I steam the broccoli instead of boiling it?
Sure: steaming better retains the nutrients.
