Smashed Broccoli Parmesan

Even people who like broccoli rarely get excited about it. I do enjoy it, but it has such a healthy, almost aggressively “good-for-you” reputation, that most broccoli recipes focus on its nutritional profile, to the detriment of flavor. Not this one! Smashed Broccoli Parmesan certainly does pack a nutrient punch, but more importantly, it tastes fantastic. These delectably crispy little numbers take pride of place at a vegetarian finger food array.

Why is Broccoli Healthy?

Yes, yes, I know, you want to get to the tasty bit. And I promise it’s coming! But broccoli really is so healthy, that it’s worth spending a brief moment talking about its nutritional profile. After all, knowing that your food is good for you only increases the pleasure you take in eating it!

Broccoli is not just an add-on extra, but a nutritional powerhouse. Its rich in vitamins C, K, and A, high in fiber, and full of antioxidants like sulforaphane. These compounds support heart health by lowering cholesterol. They also boost the immune system, promote healthy digestion and bones, and may even reduce the risk of certain cancers. If you’re watching your weight, broccoli can also be highly beneficial, because it is both low-calorie and high-fiber.

How to Make Smashed Broccoli Parmesan

I just love it when a recipe is simple. And even more so when it uses only a few ingredients. There are only five ingredients required to make this recipe, with no compromise in flavor whatsoever. All you need is broccoli, parmesan, olive oil, lemon, and garlic powder.

Start off by steaming the broccoli until tender-crisp. It’s better to steam than to boil, because you don’t want your broccoli to get waterlogged. Moisture will prevent it from crisping up nicely later on in the oven. Break your head of broccoli into florets, steam for about five minutes, then open up the lid, take off the steaming water, and let it air dry a little as it cools.

Next up, we’re seasoning it for flavor. Mix the lemon zest with the garlic powder and olive oil and toss the broccoli florets in it. Be sure to mix well, so that the flavored oil gets into every little nook and crevice. Not only will this taste better, the oil will also encourage crisping in the oven.

Now comes the fun part… smashing! Lay the broccoli florets out on a baking sheet and use a heavy-bottomed glass to smash them flat. You want to end up with rough broccoli discs of no more than a quarter inch thick. Once flattened, sprinkle each one with parmesan. No need to add any extra seasoning here; the parmesan is salty enough.

And then you just bake for about 20 minutes until browned and crispy. The parmesan melts into a golden crunchy lattice on top of the vegetables, and the edges of the broccoli crisp up to a dark brown. You should find that each piece is also lightly crisped on the underside, from the flavored oil you tossed them in earlier.

How to Serve Smashed Broccoli Parmesan

I like to serve it as finger food, to get everyone off to a healthy AND tasty side at a party. The salty cheese makes it ideal for soaking up cocktails or even beer at a social gathering. But if there are any leftovers, you can also leave it to cool and add to a salad. The crunchy bites add both textural interest as well as flavor, for a winter salad with quinoa and kale, for example.

And More…

Looking for more ideas for vegetarian finger food? Check out one of these:

• Healthy Deviled Eggs
• Zucchini Tomato Tartlets
• Gobi Manchurian
• Cream Cheese Stuffed Peppers with Mushrooms
• Savory Muffins

Conclusion

Looking for your next vegetarian appetizer for a fall or winter party. You found it! Super-easy to make, with only five ingredients, Smashed Broccoli Parmesan is the finger food that will get everyone talking. What’s your favorite appetizer for vegetarians or vegans, and what’s the main course going to be?