Sprout success

One of the most healthy looking crops on my allotment right now are the Red Bull Brussels sprouts. Which is great, don't get me wrong, but here's the thing: there's only two of us here at Horticultural Towers, and one of us (not me) has a violent dislike for sprouts, even trendy purple ones such as this. So I have, maybe 15 plants here, potentially yielding several pounds of veg each. That's a lot of Brussels, isn't it?

I am wondering if I'll be able to barter a few bushels of Brussels for some other veg this winter ... what do you think?

Comments

[Amy Stewart]

I have been steadfastly converting anti-Brussels sprouts types for years with my famous braised sprouts dish cooked on the stovetop: whole peeled garlic, shallots, and/or pearl onions cooked in olive oil, add sprouts, simmer in broth, and then just before they're done, toss in a splash of red wine, turn up the heat, and everything in the pan just sucks up that red wine and it's delicious.

I even tell people not to take any if they don't like them so there will be more for the rest of us, but that's always the first dish to empty at Thanksgiving.

[Podchef]

Would that I were closer--all but three of my sprout plants failed, and even the three are rather sickly. I even tried twice to get them to go. . . .I'd happily trade polytunnel winter greens for my weight in the sprouts of Brussels.

[Helen Chisholm]

I guess the barter trick would be great if you can pull it off, but one year when we had a glut we could not manage my husband left a stick on about half a dozen of the neighbour's doorsteps on Christmas Eve you would be shocked to learn how many had never seen how brussels grow! All were gratefully received no adversion in the household.

[John Curtin]

Last year I left a bucket of over the hill beets outside my front gate with a note please take and they vanished in 5 minutes. A note through the letter box the following day said how much they enjoyed their borscht. If leathery beets move that quickly I'm pretty sure you can barter tasty brussels!

[OyaDancer]

We've a trading system at the moment, mostly to allow my husband to convert spare produce into wine or beer. Most people have been more than happy to trade their surplus with us in exchange for something cheering in a bottle, so I'm sure you'll manage.

[Jane Perrone]

You're right - I think the bartering will work, even with sprouts. I have been known to sweeten people up - quite literally - with a jar of jam...