Italian immigrants brought broccoli (Brassica oleracea italica) to America in the early 1800s, and gardens haven’t been the same since. And that’s a good thing. Can you imagine life without broccoli?

Also called rapini, this Italian heirloom broccoli sends up multiple long, green shoots with small broccoli heads. The flavor is slightly bitter mustard. This is a fast grower, sending up ...