Brussels Sprouts
I found these little lovelies at the farmer’s market. I’ve always heard that they’re not a bitter after the first frost, which is still a while a few weeks off here in Ohio. They were tiny and looked like they’d pair perfectly with some bacon I had in the fridge, so I snapped up 2 pints of them.
I steamed them for a few minutes, then sauteed them with some diced bacon, along with a few shallots and some garlic. They were fantastic! I have to admit, I wasn’t a brussels sprouts fan a few years ago, I didn’t like them at all. I think the problem was that I had never had fresh brussels sprouts. Like many vegetables they’re much better fresh from the garden!
What’s your favorite way to enjoy brussels sprouts, or is it not at all?
Filed under Edible, Farmer's Market, Going Local | Comments (17)
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Brussel sprouts are much maligned and it’s because they are one crop that deteriorates in taste rapidly with the passage of time off the plant. They look okay (so people purchase them) but they taste awful the older they get. I adore really fresh brussel sprouts – cut in half (or quarters if bigger ones) and then sauteed in some butter/olive oil, small amount of finely diced sweet onion and garlic, and a sprinkle of salt. Heaven.
I have a big patch of them growing in the garden. Should be able to start harvesting around the first week or two of October. Looking forward to it.
to KitsapFG's comment
I was admiring the brussels sprouts in another plot at our community garden just yesterday. Our family traditionally has sprouts at Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner, but our mum’s recipe was basically: wake up, put on the sprouts to boil. They were always a soggy, colourless mess which we ate out of duty.
Then I tried them lightly sauted (in butter, naturally) with a splash of toasted sesame oil. Wow! You could do things to sprouts besides boil the life out of them!?!? Since then, we’ve actually *enjoyed* them while still following tradition.
Helen at Toronto Gardens´s last blog ..A field to have a field day in
to Helen at Toronto Gardens's comment
I love them. Just slightly steamed with butter is all they need. But to saute them with bacon is also yummy. I recently marinated some in olive oil with crushed garlic for about 30 mins and then roasted them in the oven. My mom fell in love with that method.
Yep, nothing worse than over cooked brussels sprouts. Found that out at MiL’s christmas dinner. Ewww gag.
I have some growing for the first time and am very excited. Crossing my fingers that they do well, my gardening karma has sucked this year.
to Seren Dippity's comment
Brussel Sprout and parmesan casserole.
YUMMY!
ChicagoMike´s last blog ..The Coolest Kid In The Neighborhood
to ChicagoMike's comment
Sounds yummy!
to Susy's comment
I never used to like Brussels sprout either, until my friend fixed them with shallots and pancetta. This year I have grown them and will look forward to some lovely dinners using this underrated veggie.
Jennifer AKA Keewee´s last blog ..A new look for the front entrance
to Jennifer AKA Keewee's comment
Cut in half, drizzled with olive oil, sprinkled lightly with coarse salt and then roasted in the oven until they start to get a little black and caramelized around the edges. Oh…then they’re just like candy!!
Jaime ´s last blog ..‘Cause People Like to Say ‘Salsa’
to Jaime's comment
Perhaps if I find some at the market this week I’ll roast them, I love roasted carrots!
to Susy's comment
Never liked them, never will.
to lee's comment
I enjoy them from 5 miles away. They stink the house up too much.
MAYBELLINE´s last blog ..Sweet Peas
to MAYBELLINE's comment
They do for sure. I always steam them with the oven fan on high!
to Susy's comment
Yum, brussels sprouts! I really like mine sauteed with balsamic vinegar. I’ve also been known to add in caramelized onions which is equally fantastic.
Pampered Mom´s last blog ..Herbal Medicine – Self-Reliance
to Pampered Mom's comment
I added some balsamic to some one evening as well, everything is better with balsamic!!!
to Susy's comment
I love brussels sprouts now, but it has only been the last 6 years that I would dare eat them. They definitely have a bad rap because grown and cooked properly they are excellent. I have found they are hard to grow though. Last year I planted them in the spring and only harvested tiny sprouts by the fall, I thought it may have been summer heat that stunted them. So this year I planted them in June and the plants have done nothing. Maybe I will have a good crop on the third try…..
I like my sprouts kept simple, boiled or stemmed until just tender, served with butter and S&P. I think it is time to pick some up for dinner!
Dan´s last blog ..Finally some gardening!
to Dan's comment
If you do the roasting technique they do not have an odor. Especially if you add some sliced garlic and a squeeze of lemon to the mix.
to Lynn's comment
My kids and I love brussel sprouts. They call them ‘mini cabbages’ and they do sort of taste like cabbage. :) We eat them with butter strait from the farm or garden as well. Good eats!
Val
Val´s last blog ..Field trip with a side of homicide.
to Val's comment
I just harvested my last three brussel sprout plants for dinner on Saturday. I did make them also with the bacon. We had guest over for dinner and everyone raved about them. I definitely want to save room for them again next year in the garden. They are worth the room they take up!
to Karen's comment