Eating Vegetables

I am NOT going to talk about Jonathan Safran Foer‘s new book, Eating Animals, because everyone else already is this week, so I think it’s covered. Besides, we are here to talk about vegetables, not animals.

Brussels Sprouts - the best vegetable of all!

My very favorite vegetable is (are?) Brussels Sprouts. I was quite devastated to visit the farmer’s market today and find out there were STILL no Brussels Sprouts ready. I have been waiting a very long time and am getting impatient. It may not surprise you to find out that Brussels Sprouts are from the same family as Cabbage, but did you know they are also in the same family as Kale, Collards, Broccoli, and Cauliflower? They are all originally bred from Wild Mustard, which is native to western Europe. It’s all basically the same plant, bred to grow in different forms. The Brussels Sprout we eat is really just one of many immature buds that grow on a single stalk.

I have cooked Brussels Sprouts in many different ways, but I like them best simply split in half and sauteed until browned (with lots of butter, naturally). It’s best to make sure they are all face down in the pan (Don’t crowd the pan, please. A single layer only.) When the cut faces are browned, add some stock or water and cover so they steam a little. When the stock has evaporated and they are soft, they are done. The longer you cook them, the stinkier they get, so keep that in mind. I like them a little on the soft side, but you can decide for yourself. They are also really good if you shred them and fry them with pine nuts. They do look really cute whole and shiny with butter sauce too. Really, there is no bad way. Except THIS way.

They are called Brussels Sprouts because they originate from Belgium. So don’t forget the “S” on the end – it’s “Brussels”, like the city. Have you ever bought a whole stalk of them? They look like this:

Brussels Sprouts on the stalk

I have done that a few times, but each stalk doesn’t really hold that many sprouts and when you are riding on the subway and poking other passengers with your Brussels Sprouts sticks, it seems smarter to just buy them loose. My whole household likes them so I have to buy many, many at one time. I don’t ride the subway now, but I can’t find any, so it doesn’t matter, sigh.

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