This is an ode to broccoli, which has played the villain role for far too long, ever since we’ve been passing it to the dog under the table as kids. Maybe broccoli didn’t dress like Cruella de Vil, didn’t betray us like Brutus, and never killed the mockingbird–but we villainized it all the same. But are these trees-for-ants truly evil or simply misunderstood?

It’s true, there’s nothing worse than an overcooked, soggy, greyish-looking tiny tree with a stinky cabbage smell that tastes like pure injustice. It doesn’t have to be like that. What if I told you that you could bring out the natural crisp, sweet, nutty flavour of this cruciferous powerhouse with one simple change?

Roast it!

The change is easy. Roasting not only brings out the sweetness of these vegetables, but also helps retain most of its nutrients—including a variety of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

All you need are some fresh broccoli, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Toss your ingredients in a large bowl, and then lay them evenly spread out on a baking sheet. Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit (220 degrees Celsius) and roast for fifteen minutes. Toss again, and then roast for another ten minutes.

Want to jazz up your roasted broccoli?

• Add garlic powder. Because it’s delicious.
• Try adding chilli flakes for an extra kick.
• Give a squeeze of fresh lemon juice over the final product for a bright addition.
• Want it cheesy? Add grated parmesan after the first toss, or even better- garlic parm!

And that’s your simple guide to cooking the perfect broccoli that is aromatic and delicious. Now you can add it to any dish, eat it on the side, or just straight from the pan! Do you have any other holy-grail methods to cooking these cruciferous greens? 

Broccoli Trivia

1. The little florets are actually flower buds. When these vegetables are left un-harvested, the little florets will bloom into a burst of yellow flowers.
2. Cabbage, kale, cauliflower, collard greens, and brussels sprouts are actually all the same species of plant as the broccoli.
3. In 1990, broccoli farmers, enraged, shipped ten tonnes of these greens to Washington, DC in protest to a statement made by former United States President, George H. W. Bush who said, “I do not like broccoli, and I haven’t liked it since I was a little kid, and my mother made me eat it, and I’m President of the United States and I’m not going to eat any more broccoli.” What a turd. Thankfully, all the vegetables were then donated to local home shelters.