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Rocky Dijon
I find the Rasta persona funny.
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ineedadrink
The word broccoli, from the Italian plural of broccolo, refers to "the flowering top of a cabbage".
Broccoli is classified in the Italica cultivar group of the species Brassica oleracea. Broccoli has large flower heads, usually green in color, arranged in a tree-like fashion on branches sprouting from a thick, edible stalk. The mass of flower heads is surrounded by leaves. Broccoli most closely resembles cauliflower, which is a different cultivar group of the same species.
History
Broccoli evolved from a wild cabbage plant on the continent of Europe. Indications point to the vegetable's being known 2,000 years ago. Since the Roman Empire, broccoli has been considered a uniquely valuable food among Italians. Broccoli was grown at Antwerp whence it was taken to England by the sculptor Peter Scheemakers, according to a biographical note by J. T. Smith. Broccoli was first introduced to the United States by Italian immigrants but did not become widely known until the 1920s.
Culinary
Broccoli is usually boiled or steamed, but may be eaten raw and has become popular as a raw vegetable in hors d'œuvre trays. Boiling reduces the levels of suspected anti-cancer compounds in broccoli, with losses of 20 – 30% after five minutes, 40 – 50% after ten minutes, and 77% after thirty minutes. However, other preparation methods such as steaming, microwaving, and stir frying had no significant effect on the compounds. Steaming broccoli for 3–4 minutes is recommended to maximize potential anti-cancer compounds, such as sulforaphane.
Nutritional and medicinal
Broccoli is high in vitamin C, as well as dietary fiber; it also contains multiple nutrients with potent anti-cancer properties, such as diindolylmethane and small amounts of selenium. A single serving provides more than 30 mg of Vitamin C and a half-cup provides 52 mg of Vitamin C. The 3,3'-Diindolylmethane found in broccoli is a potent modulator of the innate immune response system with anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-cancer activity. Broccoli also contains the compound glucoraphanin, which can be processed into an anti-cancer compound sulforaphane, though the benefits of broccoli are greatly reduced if the vegetable is boiled. Broccoli is also an excellent source of indole-3-carbinol, a chemical which boosts DNA repair in cells and appears to block the growth of cancer cells. Broccoli has the highest levels of carotenoids in the brassica family. It is particularly rich in lutein and also provides beta-carotene.
A high intake of broccoli has been found to reduce the risk of aggressive prostate cancer. Broccoli consumption has also been shown to be beneficial in the prevention of heart disease.
See also Broccoli sprouts for possible health/medical benefits.
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treaclefingers
wasn't Albert R. Broccoli a producer of the early BOND flicks?
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Rocky Dijon
"Foreign accent syndrome?" That's brilliant, Jar-Jar. My God, I love your posts. Keep 'em coming.
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Rocky Dijon
That's brilliant, Jar-Jar.
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ineedadrink
you are correct, treaclefingers.
also, Albert R. Broccoli's daughter, Barbara Broccoli, produced some Bond films.
Broccoli was born in Los Angeles, California, the daughter of the famous James Bond producer Albert R. "Cubby" Broccoli and actress Dana Wilson Broccoli (née Natol). She majored in motion picture and television communications at Loyola Marymount University prior to working in the casting and production departments at EON Productions, the production company responsible for the official James Bond series of films dating back to 1962. Currently she co-produces Bond films with her half brother Michael G. Wilson. She is the youngest of four children raised by Cubby and Dana Broccoli, the half-sister of Michael G. Wilson (mother Dana, born: 1943), and Tina Broccoli (mother Nedra Clark-Broccoli, born: 1958) and Tony Broccoli (adopted by Cubby and Nedra Clark-Broccoli, ca. 1956-57)
She was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) by the Queen of the United Kingdom in the 2008 New Year Honours.
Broccoli started in the Bond franchise at the age of 22 as an assistant director on Octopussy in 1983. Soon after she had worked her way up further to become an associate producer on the film The Living Daylights in 1987. However, her most notable role was being a producer of the Bond films starring Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig.
Following her father's death in 1996, Broccoli created the stage musical version of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang based on the 1968 musical film starring Dick Van Dyke and Sally Ann Howes. Broccoli rehired the original songwriters from the film to write the new material for the stage version. The Sherman Brothers wrote five new songs for the show which debuted on April 16, 2002. The show ran at London's largest free house, the London Palladium and was the most financially successful show to have ever played there, breaking numerous other impressive records as well. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang went on to play successfully in both the United States and throughout the United Kingdom.
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Rocky Dijon
That's more like it, SUPERREVVY.
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Rocky Dijon
Simmer down, Jar-Jar.