Brussels sprouts are in season from autumn to late winter. The pretty florets dry out easily once harvested. Stored in the right way, Brussels sprouts will stay fresh and crisp for quite some time.

Brussels sprouts can be stored frozen for several months

Harvest sprouts properly

From September, the first florets of Brussels sprouts reach a respectable size, so that they are ready to be harvested. Always harvest the cabbage stalk from below: pick off the ping-pong ball-sized florets while the smaller ones above are allowed to continue growing. A few days later you can pick the larger rosettes in another harvest cycle, continuing until the entire stalk has been harvested.
In this way, you can optimally harvest small quantities of Brussels sprouts as needed, so that you always have them freshly available. Brussels sprouts can stay on the bed even in winter. Frost doesn't bother him - on the contrary: the leaf roses only gain in sweetness and develop their full aroma when the temperature is below zero.

Store Brussels sprouts in the refrigerator

However, if you have harvested or bought more sprouts than you can use right away, you can store the leaf rosettes in the refrigerator for a few days. At room temperature, the leaves would quickly wither. Wrap the unwashed cabbage florets in a damp cloth and place them in the crisper. Process the Brussels sprouts as soon as possible, as they will rot after a few days in the refrigerator.

Freeze sprouts

Freezing is a good way to preserve Brussels sprouts for a longer period of time. To do this, proceed as follows:

  1. Clean the Brussels sprouts by removing withered leaves, trimming the stalk and washing the florets.
  2. Put water in a large enough pot, salt it generously and bring it to the boil.
  3. Place the Brussels sprouts in the boiling salted water and blanch for three minutes.
  4. Drain the cabbage florets and shock them in ice water. This is how they get their fresh green colour.
  5. Place the completely cooled leaf roses next to each other on a wooden board and slide this into the *** freezer compartment. By pre-freezing, you prevent the cabbage florets from freezing into a lump; so you can remove the florets individually.
  6. After a few hours, transfer the Brussels sprouts to freezer-safe containers with tight-fitting lids. Freezer bags are also suitable.
  7. Do not thaw the Brussels sprouts before using, otherwise they will become mushy. Simply add the frozen cabbage florets directly to boiling water or the dish you are preparing.
  8. Consume the Brussels sprouts within a year. After a few months, it begins to lose its aroma.

The garden journal freshness ABC

How can fruit and vegetables be stored correctly so that they stay fresh for as long as possible?

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Vegetable garden