The answer is in the question. The word “broccoli” comes is the plural form of the Italian word “broccolo”, which refers to “the flowering top of a cabbage”. So in saying “broccoli”, you are saying “cabbage”. They have the same name because they’re part of the same family.

Broccoli is the grand child of a wild cabbage plant found in Europe. It has been estimated that broccoli has been around for around 2,000 years. But broccoli and cabbage aren’t the only members of the family. There’s also cauliflower, Brussel sprouts, kale, and the lesser known kohlrabi. Together they’re of the genus brassica and are known as Cole crops. All the members of this family can be grown in regions where it frosts and sometimes the frost even makes them taste better. Every member of this family is loaded with vitamins, mineral antioxidants, and anticancer agents. They’re a hearty brood and all of them – from cabbage to broccoli and every cousin in between – will help to make you healthy and hearty, too.