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Tuesday, May 08, 2007

My Favorite Cabbage, the Brussel Sprout

Favorite Cabbage? Nope, they are my favorite vegetable, period.

I have received much flack over loving Brussel Sprouts, it hurt my younger years. Yet I did not allow it to get to me, well not too much. I had to hide under the sheets in the dark, to munch on them, less my friends would catch me.

But now, I am out from under those sheets, and shouting to the world, ok those that actually read what I may have to say. There is no shame in brussel sprout love! I should have realized that back in the day. Back when my friends could smell the lunch of brussel sprouts I had just eaten, back when those friends would question me, after the statement of "eeewww. . . you're eating those again?" and "why can't you like normal vegetables?"

And then I discovered fresh picked brussel sprouts, then I knew that this love would never be tamed. Hello, my name is Phelan, and I am a Brussel Sprout addict.

Now is a good time to start sowing those plants. Treat them like you would any late cabbage. They need ample amount of compost, for they are hardy feeders. Plant them out in July. When you do plant them out, snap off a few leaves, so they do not spend energy on them. Set your plants 16-20 inches apart. In October, once again break off the lower stems. Harvest your lower buds first. Before your first killing freeze, transplant the stalks into your house/greenhouse/basement. If your soil is moist, the buds will continue to mature. They are a late season vegetable, and a few fall frosts {but not the hard ones} will improve the plant.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Ha! Great minds think alike -I love Brussel Sprouts! I eat them with nearly every meal when they're in season.

Breezy said...

I like them fresh in season despite the smell but TOH has discovered tinned brussel spouts. They are just pure sprout evil condensed in a tin and the smell lingers for days

Maggie said...

first time ever seeing brussel sprouts in their birthday suits!!! I love them too. Baked brussel sprouts in mustard sauce is one of my all time favorites!!!

Jeff Roberts said...

Mmmmm. I had no idea they looked like that on the stalk - that's cool! I doubt I can find the time this year but definitely on my wish list.

Dancingfarmer said...

glad your o.k after the storms and can now blog about your favorite veggie (is it o.k if I say Yik though?)
Monica :-D

The Unusual Farmchick said...

We always call them alien heads. My 3 wee ones LOVE em'. Panda request brussel sprouts at least 3-4 X's a week.

Crunchy Chicken said...

I love Brussel Sprouts and have a few growing right now. I will be transplanting them in about 4-6 weeks if they look ready, otherwise I'll wait until July.

The plants get so amazingly big...

The Fool said...

G'morning Phelan. Brussel sprouts, eh? Well, that sure explains a lot...I'll bet they were Poe's favorite as well.

Caroline said...

Last year (my first garden in a decade or so) I planted starts of broccoli, cauliflower and brussels sprouts, and none of them produced anything edible (neither did the corn). The goats enjoyed the stalks, however! I'm another one that loves brussels sprouts, although DH calls them "evil balls of death" and refuses to eat them.

Celeste said...

My brussels are going strong. We love them here!

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