For those who enjoy broccoli but are not fortunate enough to grow it, there is hope. There is a wild relative that goes by many names, one common one being Winter Cress. It is Barbarea vulgaris, and has both the dark green leaves reminiscent of true broccoli, plus it forms little "florets" or flower heads, or seed heads, that do resemble broccoli when it is at the harvest stage.

This wild relative is out there now. In fact, it is out there nearly all year long, but spring is the best time to harvest, before it becomes bitter. The leaves can be harvested very early, sometimes even December, January, and February, with the flower heads coming a little later, such as now. When I photographed it last week, the leaves were forming. Now suddenly the little broccoli-looking florets are everywhere.

Steam the leaves, or the florets, or both, or boil in two changes of water as some recommend. Serve with a pat of butter and dash of salt. Enjoy this wildcrafted broccoli relative. It's free and 100% organic.