Broccoli Nuggets

Broccoli nuggets are an excellent choice for a main course or a crunchy vegetable appetizer. Here is the recipe with an Italian twist.

Ingredients

• 300 g of broccoli
• 1 egg
• 50 g of breadcrumbs
• 50 g of grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 clove of garlic
• Salt, as needed
• Pepper, as needed
• Extra virgin olive oil or frying oil

Preparation

1. Start by cooking the broccoli. You could boil them in boiling water for about 5 minutes until they become tender, but be careful not to overcook them. Then, drain and let cool.

2. Preheat the oven to 200 °C if you opt for baking, or prepare a pan with plenty of oil for frying.

3. In the meantime, finely chop the cooled broccoli; you can use a knife or, if you prefer, a food processor, making sure not to puree them.

4. Add the grated Parmesan, breadcrumbs, egg, a pinch of salt, and pepper. If you like, you can also include a very finely chopped garlic clove to add more flavor.

5. Mix all the ingredients well until you have a homogeneous mixture.

6. Shape the mixture into small patties or nuggets using your hands or two spoons and coat them with additional breadcrumbs if you desire extra crunchiness.

7. Arrange the nuggets on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and drizzle lightly with extra virgin olive oil if you are choosing to bake. Bake for about 20-25 minutes or until golden and crispy, turning halfway through cooking.

8. If you prefer to fry them, immerse the nuggets in hot oil until they evenly brown. Then, drain them on paper towels to remove excess oil.

And there you have it, the broccoli nuggets are ready to be served!

Curiosity

Broccoli nuggets can be a healthy and vegetarian alternative to the classic chicken nuggets, and thanks to the added Parmesan, they acquire a very tasty Italian touch. They are also a fun way to get children to eat their vegetables!