Brussels sprouts are a controversial vegetable that many love and others hate. This is due mainly to how the brussels sprouts have been cooked. Suppose you happen to like eating brussels sprouts or are considering planting them in your garden. In that case, you might wonder when brussels sprouts are in season.
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Brussels sprouts are a fall crop that is mainly harvested in the fall months. Brussels sprouts take about ninety days to mature, so they should be planted in the late spring to be harvested in the fall. You could also plant brussels sprouts in the late fall to harvest in spring.
When Are Brussels Sprouts In Season?
Brussels sprouts are a cool-weather crop, meaning that they do better when harvested in the cool seasons, such as fall and early spring. In America, brussels sprouts are primarily cultivated in California and New York. However, should you live in an area with sweltering summers, brussels sprouts might not be the best crop for you to grow.
The exact origins of brussels sprouts are disputed. However, Britain is the greatest consumer of brussels sprouts and produces about seven times as many brussels sprouts per year than America. In addition, the cool weather year-round makes Britain the perfect environment to grow brussels sprouts.
Brussels sprouts turn bitter when they are exposed to high heat. Bitter brussels sprouts are unpleasant to eat and are one of the reasons why many people dislike these sprouts in general. However, if they are harvested correctly and cooked correctly, brussels sprouts have a complex flavor and a slightly crunchy texture.
How Do You Harvest Brussels Sprouts?
Harvesting brussels sprouts is not as difficult as some other vegetables. Brussels sprouts are ready for harvest roughly 90 days after planting them. When the brussels sprouts are between one and one and a half inches in diameter, they are ready to be harvested.
At this size, the brussels sprouts should be tender and not as bitter as when they are bigger. Brussels sprouts start maturing from the bottom of the plant, so it is best to start harvesting there too. Leave the tiny brussels sprouts for another day or two until they are the right size to harvest.
Before you harvest your brussels sprouts, you should remove the leaves off the plant. This will ensure that the plant directs its energy on the brussels sprouts, and they will be tastier and more nutritious.
Experts say that brussels sprouts are sweeter if they have been exposed to frost. So, if possible, try to harvest your brussels sprouts after the first frosty night. It would be best if you also harvested your brussels sprouts on a cool day. They will be plumper and sweeter if you do.
To harvest your brussels sprouts, twist them slightly, and they should pull away from the plant. You can place your brussels sprouts in a produce bag and put them in the coldest part of your refrigerator until you are ready to use them.
How Should You Cook Brussels Sprouts?
Many people dislike brussels sprouts because they are bitter. However, this is mainly because the brussels sprouts have been overcooked or left in the fridge for too long. Brussels sprouts can be kept in the refrigerator for about a week.
However, their flavor will get stronger, and they might turn bitter after three or four days. To avoid this, you should use your brussels sprouts soon after harvesting them.
To prepare your brussels sprouts for cooking, you must first rinse them thoroughly to remove any dirt on the leaves and pat them dry with a kitchen towel. Next, remove any yellow leaves and discard any soft brussels sprouts. The brussels sprouts should be vibrant green and hard.
There are many ways to cook brussels sprouts. If you boil them or use them in stir fry, you mustn’t overcook them. Overcooked brussels sprouts will taste bitter. The brussels sprouts are cooked when you can insert a fork easily. They should still be vibrant green and slightly crunchy.
If the brussels sprouts are pale green or mushy, it means that they are overcooked. Brussels sprouts are only cooked for seven or eight minutes if they are left whole or five minutes if they are halved.
One of the most common ways brussels sprouts are cooked is by boiling them.
- To boil brussels sprouts, place them with salt and water in a pan. Using a shallow pan is better as the brussels sprouts cook better if they are not piled too high.
- Once the water is boiling, cook the brussels sprouts for three to five minutes, depending on how big they are.
- Drain the water. Then, add some butter to the pan. Once the butter is melted, serve the brussels sprouts immediately.
Brussels sprouts can also be roasted with olive oil and spices in the oven. Regardless of how you cook your brussels sprouts, they will taste delicious as long as you don’t overcook them.
Can You Freeze Brussels Sprouts?
You can freeze brussels sprouts, but keep in mind that their texture will not be the same if they have been frozen.
To freeze cooked brussels sprouts, cut them into halves or quarters and freeze them in a single layer first. After that, you can move them to a bag and keep them in the freezer. It is best to add frozen brussels sprouts to other dishes rather than using them by themselves. For example, you can add cream and cheese to your frozen brussels sprouts and bake them.
To freeze raw brussels sprouts, slice them thinly or shred them. It would be best if you also froze them in a single layer first before transferring them to a bag. Frozen brussels sprouts defrost in no time. Therefore, you can add them frozen to stir-fries.
Freezing brussels sprouts is a good way to preserve them, but they will not taste as good as fresh brussels sprouts do.
You can also pickle your brussels sprouts to preserve them. Here is how to pickle brussels sprouts:
- Soak brussels sprouts in a bowl of lightly salted water for about fifteen minutes. Drain the brussels sprouts well.
- Boil the jars your wish to store your pickles in to sterilize them.
- Place the brussels sprouts into the jars, filling the jars about ¾ of the way.
- Boil a mixture of water, pickling salt, and vinegar, and add it to the jars when the salt has fully dissolved.
- When the mixture has cooled to reach room temperature, you can store the jars in a dark spot for about three weeks before opening them.
Pickling vegetables is a preservation technique that has been used for many years. It is an effective way to preserve your brussels sprouts and enjoy them year-round.