Chinese broccoli

noun
variants: or less commonly Chinese kale

Definition of Chinese broccoli

: a leafy garden plant (Brassica oleracea alboglabra synonym Brassica alboglabra) that has thick, smooth stems, waxy bluish-green leaves in loose rosettes, and small, usually white flowers Chinese broccoli has prominent green stems and leaves and is never as compact as regular broccoli …— Georgia Tasker, Miami Herald, 8 Sept. 1985 also : the stems and young leaves of Chinese broccoli used as food The lightly sauteed Chinese broccoli, with its hint of bitterness, offered a fine contrast to the sweet flavors elsewhere on the table. — Candace Page, Burlington (Vermont) Free Press, 10 Jan. 2008

Note: The plant and the food are also called gai lan.

First Known Use of Chinese broccoli

1940, in the meaning defined above

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