Tenderstem is more akin to sprouting broccoli than to calabrese (the most boring vegetable on the planet). Its green spears are atop long green stems which cook nicely along with the spears. I find that steaming doesn't work too well, so I pack the tenderstem snugly in a lidded pan with the stems mostly in the water and the spears mostly sticking above. Very unforgiving if overcooked. Pinch of salt.