First foods database
🥦 Romanesco for babies: when and how to serve it
Can babies eat romanesco? Yes, from about 6 months, cooked soft. This striking green spiral vegetable tastes like a nutty mix of broccoli and cauliflower.
Good source of: Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Fibre
How to serve romanesco by age
6 to 9 months
Steam florets until very soft and mash or purée. Larger florets with a stalk handle make a good finger food once cooked soft. Romanesco has a mild, nutty taste, so it blends well with potato or a little cheese sauce.
9 to 12 months
Offer soft florets, or chopped romanesco in pasta, risotto and cheesy bakes. Chop soft florets and mix through pasta with butter and cheese.
12 months and up
Serve romanesco roasted, steamed or in gratins with the family. Roast florets with olive oil until golden and soft.
Choking safety
Offer large, soft-cooked florets with stalks to hold, rather than small firm pieces. Check they squash easily. Small hard pieces of undercooked floret can be a choking risk, so steam until a knife slides in easily.
Gagging is common and noisy while babies learn to eat. Choking is usually silent. Always stay with your baby while they eat, sitting upright. How to help a choking baby (NHS).
Easy ideas
- Romanesco and cheese bake
- Steamed romanesco with butter
- Romanesco pasta
Goes well with
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Questions parents ask
Can babies eat romanesco?
Can babies eat romanesco? Yes, from about 6 months, cooked soft. This striking green spiral vegetable tastes like a nutty mix of broccoli and cauliflower.
Is romanesco broccoli or cauliflower?
It is a relative of both and is cooked the same way. It is cooked just like either.
Can babies eat romanesco stalks?
Yes, when cooked soft. The stalk makes a handy handle. Cook the stalk until very soft.
Sources
OBubba gives general information based on UK guidance. It is not medical advice and does not diagnose anything. Every baby is different. If your baby has a known allergy, severe eczema or a medical condition, speak to your doctor or health visitor before starting solids. Learn baby first aid, and in an emergency call your local emergency number (999 in the UK).