Broccoli for Rabbits

Broccoli in practice for rabbits 

With its pretty florets and slightly sweet taste, broccoli is a vegetable that rabbits love. Be careful, though, because this sweetness hides undigestible fibers that can cause your rabbit to suffer from bloating. Despite its nutritional qualities, it should always be used in moderation (one floret, or about 20g, per meal, at most). And above all, be careful with your baby darlings that are not used to eat greens in general. Broccoli should be introduced very carefully in your rabbit’s diet and its digestive system should be carefully monitored. In case of loose stool, you should stop using this vegetable immediately.

With its moderate calcium content (55.8mg/100g) and its phospho-calcium ratio close to 1 (0.997 exactly), broccoli is a vegetable that has a place in your rabbit’s diet, as long as you do not abuse it, especially if your companion needs a low calcium diet.

Read the detailed composition of broccoli for rabbits here

Origin of broccoli

Broccoli is an ancient vegetable, native to Sicily and selected by the Romans from wild cabbage. However, it was only introduced late in the cultures of more northern Europe, thanks to the influence of Catherine de Medici who appreciated it and referred to it as “Italian asparagus”. It was not before the 18th century that the British started cultivating it, and it is only in the 1980s that it began to be produced in France.

Preserving broccoli

In the manner of fresh flowers, trim the stalk of the broccoli a few inches after purchase. Soak a paper towel in water, and wrap it around the broccoli stalk, before adding plastic wrap over it to retain moisture, then put it in the refrigerator. Broccoli can be stored for up to a week under these conditions.

A whole broccoli is too much for you? Feel free to cut it into florets and place them in a bag in the freezer: you can just pick out the florets as you need them!

What about the stem? It’s easy to eat it in soup, so don’t hesitate to cook it rather than throw it away!

Recipe with broccoli for humans

Broccoli Purée (servings : 2)

Ingredients: 2/3 broccoli, 1 medium potato, 2 tablespoons sour cream (cow or vegetable)

Wash and cut the broccoli into florets. Peel the potato and cut it into cubes.

Plunge the broccoli florets and potato cubes into a large pot of cold water and heat. Allow 20 minutes of cooking time from boiling.

Once cooked, drain the vegetables and place them in a blender (or use an immersion blender) to purée them smooth. If you prefer slightly lumpy purées, simply use a food mill. Add the crème fraîche, salt and season to taste.

Don’t forget, of course, to save the last third of the broccoli for your long-eared friend’s next meals 😉

Translated from French by Margaux