The Fractal Geometry of the Romanesco Cauliflower

Nature never ceases to impress me:

The Romanesco is one of the most beautiful vegetables I’ve ever encountered. As a member of the Brassica family, it is technically a broccoli but visually closer to a cauliflower.

The Romanesco’s beauty is enhanced by its mathematically precise form: a fractal pattern and a Fibonacci sequence formed by the spirals of the buds. It is believed to have originated in Italy in the 16th century as a result of selective breeding. But how did it attain that incredibly mathematical shape? That is unknown.

This remarkable-looking vegetable contains lots of zinc, carotenoids, iron, vitamin C and folate. It is crunchier than a cauliflower, with a more nutty, earthy flavor.

We like it steamed and seasoned with olive oil and apple cider vinegar. It can also be stir-fried with a bit of low-sodium tamari sauce.

If you haven’t tried one yet, the new year is a perfect time to sample one!