Brussels Sprouts

**Durgan** · 10-01-2010, 07:09 PM

1 October 201 Brussels Sprouts 1 October 201 Brussels Sprouts

Brussels sprouts grew well in my area Zone 5.. This is the remainder of 12 plants ( Jade Cross). The small cabbages are picked as required throughout the season. There is a persistent view that they are tastier after a severe frost. I find this to be an old wives tale. Taste is the same at the beginning of the year as around December, when I have left them to be exposed to frost. The insect damage seen is only on the outer shell of the sprout. Spraying with one of the 'cides can eliminate disfigurement, but I prefer the damage. People either love them or hate them.

**Ceashels** · 10-01-2010, 08:24 PM

They are just one of the coolest plants. I don't try them very often because when having them growing up... they were always cooked to mush. I love just about every other cabbage related plant there is.

How do you prepare them?

**Darlene** · 10-01-2010, 08:25 PM

Love 'em & I am so envious Durgan. The stalks are tight with rounds of goodness. Enjoy!

**Durgan** · 10-01-2010, 09:06 PM

Originally Posted by Ceashels

They are just one of the coolest plants. I don't try them very often because when having them growing up... they were always cooked to mush. I love just about every other cabbage related plant there is.

How do you prepare them?

I steam cook them with a butterfly insert in the pot, and usually have some on the stove and pop one or two in my mouth until gone, sort of like a snack. I eat to live, not live to eat.

I know what you mean by mush. I spent a year in England and that was the method. Slightly crisp, Brussels sprouts are a fine food in small quantities.

**Durgan** · 10-01-2010, 09:11 PM

Originally Posted by Darlene

Love 'em & I am so envious Durgan. The stalks are tight with rounds of goodness. Enjoy!

I have grown perfect stalks, but one must destroy the white cubit butterfly, which usually implies some sort of pesticide. I was going to use diatomaceous earth his year, but was away for three weeks so used nothing, hence the minor damage.

**nodmicks** · 10-01-2010, 10:26 PM

MMMMMM my favorite food! I eat a ridiculous amount of them and have even eaten them for breakfast.

My dh grew 18 plants of brussels this year for me. I'm the only one that eats them and my freezer is REALLY stocked besides what is still outside. We do not us chemicals on any of our plants either.

We had a super wet summer though and our stalks never got a real good root system. We had to stake them up or they leaned over. This is the 1st year that has ever happened but this is the 1st year our garden has been repeatedly flooded.

**pat in east texas** · 10-02-2010, 08:38 AM

There's nothing as good as brussels sprouts just picked "off the bone". I steam or roast them.

**gottadance** · 10-02-2010, 08:43 AM

Mine - six of them - did not produce a single sprout. My first try with them. I think they didn't get enough sun. Really pitiful.

**Darlene** · 10-02-2010, 01:41 PM

I'm wanting to try my hand at growing b.sprouts next year, I've tried them before but they didn't give me much in yield or size. Couple of questions for you if you don't mind, what variety of seeds did you plant and did you directly sow them? Any other tips? Thank You!!

**Durgan** · 10-02-2010, 04:12 PM

Originally Posted by Darlene

I'm wanting to try my hand at growing b.sprouts next year, I've tried them before but they didn't give me much in yield or size. Couple of questions for you if you don't mind, what variety of seeds did you plant and did you directly sow them? Any other tips? Thank You!!

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My seedlings were purchased, since the growing season is very long to maturity. Seeds if used should be started indoors about the beginning of March. Jade Cross seems to be common, and is about the best. I have grown another, but don't remember the name, which was fine also.

The seedlings were placed in the outdoor garden about 15 of April, since they can take a quite a bit of cold. If danger of a really hard frost, I cover with wood chips or a pot for the night, and have never had frost damage. I usually plant 12 seedlings, since I have the room, and this is an awful lot of sprouts.

They are basically care free, except for damage by the the white cabbage butterfly, which is ubiquitous. I have planted them on the edge of a the tulip bed. The large plant is rather attractive. During hot weather a good root watering periodically makes them thrive.

**SamanthainSoCal** · 10-03-2010, 05:58 AM

Re: cooking them.

The absolute best way to prepare them is this =

Fry up 6 to 8 slices of bacon, reserve the bacon grease and bacon.

Slice the brussel sprouts in half, toss in a wide skillet with the bacon grease. Pan fry, let them get some color on them before you stir them around, cook till just tender, putting a lid on after tossing and sauteing for about 5 to 6 minutes will steam them just a bit, stir in a few tablespoons of butter to finish off, add some sea salt, then chopped reserved bacon and toss with brussels sprouts. Done.

My hubby HATED brussels sprouts, but when I served them to him this way, he loves them now. As to both my daughters, I mean, they fight for the last few.

**Ceashels** · 10-03-2010, 08:57 AM

Originally Posted by SamanthainSoCal

Fry up 6 to 8 slices of bacon, reserve the bacon grease and bacon.

Everything is better with bacon! ROFL.

Thanks for the recipe and Durgan thanks for sharing your experience. I would really enjoy trying to grow them sometime.

**Josephhgoins** · 10-03-2010, 04:14 PM

Durgan, they look awesome! How do you store them?

**Durgan** · 10-03-2010, 08:09 PM

Originally Posted by Josephhgoins

Durgan, they look awesome! How do you store them?

The plants can be left in the ground, which is probably best for storage. I have picked them as late as Christmas from the snow. The outside gets a little brown but the inside is still pristine. There are a great number of sprouts on one plant. I pick from the bottom up throughout the season, and at the end of the season often pull the complete plant for giving away to the neighbors.