Produce Briefs...
Mangosteen
The Purple mangosteen, botanical name Garcinia magostana, simply referred to as mangosteen, is an ultra-tropical slow growing evergreen tree that is cultivated for its edible fruit.
Iceberg Lettuce
It is the only lettuce type that does not occur in red form as well as green. Iceberg is the given name to dozens of cultivars of lettuce, all of which are adapted to specific planting regions and time periods.
Seasons/Availability
Purple Brussels sprouts are available in the winter and early spring.
Current Facts
Brussels sprouts, botanical name Brassica oleracea, belong to the Brassicaceae family. Thus they are kin to broccoli and cabbage. The sprouts 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 Purple Brussels sprouts are compact, tightly enveloped leaves bound into a oval sphere-shaped bud ranging in diameter of a mere 1/2 inch when mature. Their leaves range from layers of deep purple to sea green with violet red tips and veins. Baby Purple Brussels sprouts have complex flavors of earth, nuts and slightly bittersweet overtures.
Applications
Classic cooking methods for Brussels sprouts include roasting, braising or pan frying them in butter with savory accoutrements such as garlic, shallots, thyme, rosemary and sage. Brussels sprouts take on the accompanying flavors which gives them more depth and appeal while also bringing sweetness to the Brussels sprouts. Slow roasting the sprouts in oil or butter is a great way to remove the sprout's natural bitterness. The smaller the sprout, the more sweet and the less bitter tendencies it will have. Purple Brussels sprouts can be added to casseroles, gratins, soups and they are a great addition to Winter roasted vegetable medleys. They can also be tossed into a warm Winter greens salad. Other great culinary matches include bacon, pork belly, cheese, cream, duck fat, eggs, ham, grapefruit, cider vinegar, lemon, hollandaise, maple, mushrooms, mustard, nutmeg, pepper, pistachios and pancetta.
Geography/History
Purple Brussels sprouts can trace their heritage to Belgium, specifically a region near its capital, Brussels, after which they are named. Brussels sprouts have remained a local crop in Belgium since World War I. The first purple variety of Brussels sprouts was originally developed by breeding a red cabbage variety with a green Brussels sprouts variety by Dutch plant breeder C.N. Vreeken in the early 1940's. Brussels sprouts are now cultivated throughout Europe and have been naturalized in the United States. They are hardy enough to withstand frost and frozen temperatures, making them a suitable crop for all Northern hemisphere growing regions. In fact, farmers will claim with certainty that the Brussels sprouts kissed by frost will indeed be sweeter.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
| Rancho Valencia | Del Mar CA | 858-756-1123 |
| Golden Door | San Marcos CA | 760-761-4142 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Baby Purple Brussels Sprouts. One
is easiest, three is harder.Recently Spotted
People have spotted Baby Purple Brussels Sprouts using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android.
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Asda Leeds Near Pudsey, United Kingdom About 80 days ago Asda Bradford Near Bradford, United Kingdom About 104 days ago Spotter's comments : Actually the new Flower Sprout variant Specialty Produce Near San Diego, California, United States About 115 days ago Spotter's comments : Can be used in any of the classic cooking methods. In stock. |
