Brussels Sprouts!

[Retrograde]

I saw something I've never seen at Trader Joe's today: stalks of Brussels Sprouts! I don't know if this is a national or a regional thing (they were grown in Salinas, less than 100 miles from here), or if it's a side effect of the cool weather we've had this summer making them come in early, but if you can find them and you've never tried sprouts right off the stalk you're in for a treat.

I prepare them simply: roasted, then tossed with the good olive oil, walnuts and salt.

[grasswire]

1. I usually see them as the holidays approach

Are those organic that you found at TJ?

[yellerpup]

2. Love Brussels sprouts.

First saw them marketed on the stalk in NC, 2005. They are available in NY in the fall and I buy the stalks at the farmer's market or supermarkets if they are fresh and in good condition. My preferred method is steam-saute, where I smear the bottom of a stainless skillet with olive oil, butter, or sesame oil or combination and place well-washed sprouts cut side down in the pan. Add a scant 1/4 cup of water and slap the lid on and cook for about 5-9 minutes depending on the size of the sprouts. You can also cook them at a lower temperature for longer and they will caramelize beautifully and taste sweet and nutty. I've had them with many kinds of toasted nuts, sesame seed, peeled grapes... They are cute, they have excellent nutritional values, and are recommended as a high-fiber cancer fighter.

I've counted the sprouts on the stalk to compare them to what we regularly have to buy in little tubs, and last year it worked out that the stalk was equal to about 3 tubs (12 oz. est) and was the cost equivalent of two tubs. Good eatin'!

[Tesha]

3. I've grown them in the past...

we left them until after the first good frost to improve the taste - so good fresh...
I just place the trimmed and x'ed babies in a covered casserole in the microwave
and steam them - nothing else - nothing fancy. They melt in your mouth...

[kestrel91316]

4. IIRC, they stay fresher if they stay on the stalk until prepped.

[Lucinda]

5. Yum!

I want!

[Callalily]

6. Oh gawd . . . I LOVE Brussels sprouts.

Used to grow them in my garden. And yes, you are right, the fresher the better!