WHAT IS A BRUSSELS SPROUT?
These tiny members of the cabbage family are grown for their delicious, edible buds! Cultivated in the 16th century in Belgium, they are named after the city which is why even a single sprout is still called a Brussels sprout (named after the city). They were first introduced to the United States by French settlers colonizing Louisiana. However today the majority of sprouts are grown in California for use in frozen food. One of the main reasons why the Brussels Sprout is so unpopular is that when overcooked they become even more bitter.
WHY ARE BRUSSELS SPROUTS GOOD FOR YOU?
This cold weather superfood is rich in vitamin C and K. However sprouts should be eaten in moderation, not every day. Vitamin K is also a blood thinner and when consumed in large quantities can have potentially negative consequences.
WHEN ARE BRUSSELS SPROUTS IN SEASON?
This is a relatively cool weather crop that is ready for harvest 3 to 6 months after planting.
HOW SHOULD BRUSSELS SPROUTS BE STORED?
They can be refrigerated for several days if not cleaned or trimmed and stored in a bag with air ventilation. Or clean them up, blanch them and freeze in a zip lock bag for up to 6 months. Instead try this recipe for this golden crusted version!
WHAT IS THE PROPER WAY TO CUT A BRUSSELS SPROUT?
Click here to see!
DO BRUSSELS SPROUTS MAKE YOU FART?
Yes they do along with asparagus, broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower. There are basically 2 reasons for this. First they are rich in cellulose which your intestine isn’t able to completely break down. This means that some of the plant fiber ends up in your gut. The second reason is the presence of raffinose, a complex sugar which when processed results in sulphur a.k.a. farts!