About lifegrower
Peter V. Fossel has been gardening since he was nine, and has been an organic farmer for the last 20 years. His most recent book, “Organic Farming, Everything You Need to know” was published by Voyageur Press, Minneapolis, 2007. He’s written numerous gardening articles for Organic Gardening, Horticulture, Country Journal, Out Here, and American Profile among others. He was Gardens Manager for The Hermitage, home of President Andrew Jackson in Tennessee before returning to Cape Cod to start his newest organic venture, Swan River Farm in Dennisport, MA.
Brussels sprouts are healthy and easy to grow. I snip off the growing tip of leaves in fall to put plant energy into the sprouts — which are delicious; the naysayers notwithstanding (roast them.) Sprouts help prevent cancer with antioxidants and phytochemicals, provide bone-building vitamin K, boost the immune system with vitamin C, and fight inflammation and heart disease. They won’t do windows.
I agree. If all you have are sad memories from childhood of overcooked, mushy, grey Brussels sprouts, do try them again. I hated them with a vengeance until my early 30’s when I had a sprout epiphany after enjoying them lightly steamed & buttered. And then roasted – oh, roasted! A revelation.
These days, not only do they make frequent appearances at autumn/winter dinners, but they are now a necessary traditional accompaniment (usually with chestnuts) to our annual Xmas roast goose dinner. One of my fondest memories was one year going out to pick our own home-grown sprouts from under heavy snow cover to accompany the Xmas goose. They were sweet & delicious – all the more for being home-grown.
Oh, & don’t automatically discount your supermarket’s frozen sprouts if you don’t have home-grown or market fresh ones look a bit old/sad. Judiciously cooked, the frozen ones (especially the “petite/baby” ones) can be quite good. It does pay to give sprouts some home garden space if you have a garden & have the space. Our local supermarket is currently selling Brussel sprouts on-the-stalk for $5.99 per stalk! A pack of a gazillion seeds is mere pennies compared to that.