Back when the first George Bush was president, he (somewhat) famously 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.” In fact, he went so far as to ban broccoli from the White House and Air Force One menus.
Truly, it was a sad day in American history. In a brilliant move, broccoli growers shipped 10 tons of the stuff to the White House (which was refused and later donated to food banks). The funny thing is that the popularity of broccoli grew after President Bush’s statement. I guess it sort of follows his presidency really. No wonder he wasn’t re-elected! It all started with his distaste for broccoli…the American people could not tolerate such a a trait in a President!
I never realized, but broccoli is very important in American politics and appears to swing elections every cycle. Discussion of broccoli started back in Roman times but first figured into American politics when Thomas Jefferson wrote about it. Let’s see, Jefferson, one of our most foundational leaders loved broccoli…yes, George Bush should have choked it down and followed after Jefferson!
We harvested our first broccoli the other day and it was delicious! I have long been a proud broccoli-eater and am delighted to have fresh available again! I think it is pretty clear…along the Presidential continuum, I am much closer to a Thomas Jefferson than a George Bush!
My grandfather planted this first batch of broccoli – but it won’t be nearly enough. We’ll have to plant more seeds as soon as it dries out here in WV. I love to freeze broccoli and then use it in the winter for broccoli casserole – YUM YUM
I think we could plant a small garden of the stuff alone and it would get used easily!
Broccoli is ok. It is kind like green beans. It has grown on me but its not like I can’t resist eating a big plate of broccoli. Now I do like some broccoli and rice casserole. I like to eat the florets. I must admit I have never grown any. I decided not to have a garden this year. I didn’t really grow all that much last year so I think I am just going to put some flowers over there.
I too LOVE broccoli, I think it’s the perfect vegetable. I haven’t harvested any yet, I’m hopefully waiting. This year I’m growing Romanesco and Purple Sprouting.
I really love it steamed and drizzled with olive oil and garlic salt & freshly ground pepper – MMMMM.
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I am planning to seed to Romanesco in the coming weeks. I can’t wait to try it. I’ve never had it!
I love broccoli too! Raw or cooked, doesn’t matter. Yum! I never thought about trying to plant it myself…
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I can’t say I love broccoli but I like it. I like it raw especially.
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Ok now I am officially jealous now 😉
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So…you and Thomas Jefferson huh?
Did he also give you the idea to lick bells???
Old Tom was a hoot, I remember him well.
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We are so covered up with rain it’s a wonder anything is still alive and not drowned. Anyhow, we have more coming on and it looks wonderful. It’s even good frozen and we certainly enjoy it in the winter too! I can’t wait to be fully stocked again!
This was our first year growing it too and it’s so cool! Do you direct seed it?
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becca – we start in ahead of times…haven’t tried seeding it directly…maybe it’s time I do!
Don’t! Well I’m sure you could try but we had miserable luck with everything we direct seeded this year. I was just wondering if anyone else had any luck. I think if you have the room to do your own starts it works out much better.
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Most stuff we do start ahead of time. We direct seed squash and beans and corn usually but that’s it…