The most common variety of broccoli grown in the United States is the Italian Green. It has light green stalks topped by green or purplish florets. Italian Green is also known as "Calabrese" for Calabria, the Italian province where it was first grown.

Broccoli rabe (pronounced "ROB") is another type of broccoli. It also has a much stronger, almost bitter flavor compared to regular broccoli. Broccoli rabe is very popular in Italian cuisine.

Broccoli rabe is native to the Mediterranean region. It is also called Italian broccoli, di rape, rapini, broccoli raab, Chinese broccoli, and Gai Lon. A member of the cruciferous family, broccoli rabe is recognized by its thin stems, tiny budding heads, and abundant leaves with jagged edges. Though it's equally as nutritious as our familiar broccoli, its flavor is more pungent and slightly bitter.

Broccolini, or baby broccoli, is another type of broccoli. It is smaller, milder, and sweeter than regular broccoli. It looks like a cross between asparagus and broccoli because of its long, thin stalks, but it actually is a cross between Chinese Kale and broccoli - now that's cool!