Soak the broccoli head in a bowl with cold water for 5-10 minutes. Rinse it thoroughly under running water and pat it dry with a clean towel.
Using a sharp knife, trim about 1/2 inch from the tough stalk. Remove any leaves.
slice through the stems where they naturally branch off near the base of the florets to separate them from the main stalk. Be sure to leave a bit of the stem attached to the florets.Cut the stem's base of large florets in two and pull them apart with your fingers to make them all even-sized.
Peel the outer layer of the broccoli stem with a vegetable peeler. Slice or dice into even-sized pieces.
Video
Notes
To store: Store cut, dry cauliflower florets in an airtight container or bag with a paper towel to absorb moisture, and keep in the crisper for 5-7 days. Alternatively, you can blanch and freeze the broccoli for 6+ months.Check the blog post for ways to use broccoli and tips on what to do with the stems.