Love them or loathe them, Brussels sprouts are a Christmas dinner essential – along with all the other tasty trimmings on the table.
We love them and they are in season right now and are full of important nutrients to keep you healthy over the festive season.
Did you know?
- Brussels sprouts belong to the same family as cabbage, kale and broccoli and are packed with nutrients and vitamins.
- They are low in fat and calories and are high in fibre, protein, vitamins A and C, calcium and antioxidants – so are great for your health.
- Sprouts are cheap way to eat really healthy food.
- They are easy to digest thanks to their high enzyme content, so they can help people with digestive or bloating problems. They are also easy to eat so are perfect for younger children and the elderly.
- Sprouts are versatile to cook – steamed with bacon bits and butter to go with your Christmas dinner, or try halving them and baking with seasonal vegetables, roasted with pecans work and add a nutty crunch, fruit like apple, raisins and apricots add sweet flavours too or shred them and add to a stir fry with prawns or chicken for a delicious mid-week supper.
- Brussels sprouts are thought to be native to what is now Belgium where their cultivation can be traced back to the 13th century.
- We traditionally cut a cross in the bottom of sprouts, but we say don’t do this, it can make them soggy! Instead cut them in half for steaming or roasting.
Pick up purple Brussels sprouts seeds in our winter veg kit
To find out more about healthy vegetables each month join the Seed Pantry grow club, visit: Seed Pantry
