Thursday, December 24, 2009

Where brussel sprouts come from

Who knew?



How did I get to be this old and not know that brussel sprouts grew on stalks? I was in Trader Joe's last Friday on a wine-buying mission and encountered these marvelous specimens. And they even seemed like a bargain - $2.99 per stalk. For the first 49 years of my life, brussel sprouts literally made me gag. Then I learned about roasting them in the oven with garlic and olive oil.



The stalks didn't come with directions. Break off the sprouts? Use a knife? I toyed with pulling out my battery powered reciprocating saw.



In the end, I used a knife. And made a mess.

Next up, the potato casserole. To peel or not to peel, that is the question...

15 comments:

  1. I grew up hating Brussels Sprouts too. Cooked to oblivion! I was introduced to the roasting/olive oil method and love them!.

    I say, don't peel the potatoes.

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  2. Even your wonderful photos can't make me get over my hatred of these little green golf balls.

    Happy Holidays!

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  3. Roasted is good. I also like to steam them until almost tender, then cut them in half and saute them in either butter or olive oil - I'm the only one in my family that'll eat them - so they're all mine! I've got a mix of carrots, parsnips, rutabaga and turnips roasting now with olive oil and sprigs of thyme. I usually do sweet potatoes, or regular potatoes and onions, too.

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  4. I've never seen them in the wild. Very interesting. Like mutant brocolli.

    I love trader joes. Wish we had them here, just Whole Paycheck (whole foods).

    I'll have to try them roasted. Never had had them at all. Not too common in El Paso where I grew up.

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  5. I agree, spare yourself and the potatoes --- they are healthier that way. I love Brussel sprouts and can't wait to find them "au naturel"! Chow down!

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  6. You mean brussel sprouts don't grow frozen in a box with butter sauce? Who knew?
    And, in case you can't tell, I'm a lazy cook and agree, don't peel the potatos. I'm making PW's crashed potatos for our Christmas dinner.

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  7. Who would of thunk it :-)
    I didn't know either...

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  8. I LOVE Brussel Sprouts and if I can find them on the stalk I go bananas! I've never roasted them with garlic though- post the receipe please!
    Merry Christmas to you and your adorable Long Ear Crew- donkeys are especially sacred on Christmas if you ask me.

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  9. Yummy! I'm impressed Linda. You even make brussel sprouts look beautiful through your photography.

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  10. I'd never given it much thought myself. Being that they're often dubbed mini cabbages, I guess I just pictured them growing the same way, from in little mini rows like mushrooms. Thanks for clearing that up!

    They're definitely an acquired taste. Now I quite like them, simply steamed with salt & pepper. I guess I'm purist at heart. Or incredibly lazy.

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  11. Have a wonderful Christmas and enjoy your brussel sprouts :)

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  12. I never knew where they came from when I was at home ... thought the Jolley Green Giant 'created' them in little boxes. We have grown them in our garden and the fresh are a world of difference and I've got to try your recipe soon.

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  13. mmmmmm brussels sprouts....anyway they make it to the table works for me! I found brussel sprouts growing in a compost pile a few years back and learned they grew on stalks at that time.

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  14. I had no idea! I'm a huge fan of the roasting, not so much of the brussels sprouts... It appears as though I might have to give this cooking method a try!

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  15. Who knew? Now if i only knew what one tasted like... I know, how bad is that?

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