Produce Briefs...
Italian Black Summer Truffles
Black summer truffles are more subtle than the winter variety. Shave truffle over cooked potatoes, toss with herbs and a shallot vinaigrette. Thinly shave truffle over scrambled eggs.
Spring Onions
Spring onions are most often utilized raw. The whole onion can be flash blanched and grilled, which brings out more the robust and sweet elements of the onions, and makes them a bolder pair for fish and meats
Seasons/Availability
Brussles sprouts are available in the late winter and early spring.
Current Facts
Brussels sprouts, botanical name Brassica oleracea, belong to the Brassicaceae family. They are the axillary buds of the plant, which grow progressively from an upward sprouting stem. The Brassicaceae is an economically important food plant family known as the mustard plants, crucifers and cabbages. Modern cultivars of Brussels sprouts have been developed to remove the bitterness that they have been historically associated with. Bitterness can also be tempered with seasonally specific planting. Winter induces the plant's food reserves to convert into sugar, providing sweeter more palatable sprouts.
Description/Taste
Baby Brussels sprouts are compact rounded leaves tightly bound into spherical shaped individual heads ranging in diameter of one to two inches when harvested. Their leaves range in hues of pistachio to sea green with a creamy yellow white interior. Their flavors are earthy and bittersweet with notes of raw walnuts. Baby Brussels sprouts inherently lack the more astringent qualities of mature Brussels sprouts allowing their sweeter flavors to provide a more forward profile on the palate.
Applications
Baby Brussels sprouts can be eaten raw or cooked. When prepared raw they are best shaved thin and served as an accompaniment to a salad or first course. The best methods for cooking Baby Brussels sprouts are braising, baking, grilling or pan-roasting. Favorable companions include almonds, butter, cream, bacon, cheeses such as pecorino, taleggio and alpine varieties, garlic, mustard, mushrooms, olive oil, pancetta, pepper, pine nuts, thyme, rosemary and light bodied vinegars.
Geography/History
Brussels Sprouts are thought to be native to Belgium, specifically a region near its capital, Brussels, after which they are named. They remained a local crop in this area until their use spread across Europe during World War I. Brussels sprouts are now cultivated throughout Europe and have been naturalized in the United States. They thrive in winter months in temperate regions with adequate irrigation. Without sufficient water resources plants become more susceptible to disease and dry up.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
| US Grant Hotel Grill | San Diego CA | 619-232-3121 |
| Inn at Rancho Santa Fe | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 800 843 4661 |
| Crosby National Golf Club LLC | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-227-0172 |
| Roy's San Diego | San Diego CA | 619-239-7697 |
| Rancho Valencia | Del Mar CA | 858-756-1123 |
| Nine - Ten | San Diego CA | 858-964-5400 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Baby Brussels Sprouts. One
is easiest, three is harder.Recently Spotted
People have spotted Baby Brussels Sprouts using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android.
Produce Spotting allows you to share your produce discoveries with your neighbors and the world! Is your market carrying green dragon apples? Is a chef doing things with shaved fennel that are out of this world? Pinpoint your location annonymously through the Specialty Produce App and let others know about unique flavors that are around them.
|
Whole Foods Market Near Lake Grove, New York, United States About 76 days ago 1500 Ocean Near Coronado, California, United States About 149 days ago Spotter's comments : Merry Christmas! Having delicious Brussels sprouts , roasted , with micros walnuts balsamic infused sauce. Delicious! |
