It has been a while since we added to our ongoing guides for how to buy and store fruits and vegetables. Today I thought I’d offer you a guide for brussels sprouts. After all, they are one of my favorite vegetables. There are many ways you can cook and enjoy them. I like them shaved raw for salads as well as steamed with lemon. Before you can cook with brussels sprouts, you need to know how to buy and store them.
When to Buy Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts tend to become available in September and have a long season. You can usually get fresh brussels sprouts through mid-February. However, in many places, you can find them at a reasonable price throughout most of the year.
How to Select Brussels Sprouts
Do you know what to look for when buying brussels sprouts? The trick is not to go for the biggest sprouts. In fact, you want to look for sprouts that are about one inch in diameter. A little bit smaller or bigger is okay. However, any bigger than 1 1/2 inches across and you’re likely to find that your sprouts taste bitter.
Here are some other things to look for if you want to buy and store brussels sprouts:
- They feel firm to the touch.
- They are bright green in color.
- There aren’t tears on the leaves.
- There’s no yellowing on the leaves.
- The sprouts are all about the same size, which makes for more even cooking.
Most of the time when you buy brussels sprouts the heads will already be chopped off of their stalks. Although, if you can buy them on the stalk that’s even better.
Organic Issues and Pesticide Concerns
The Environmental Working Group releases an annual list of fruits and vegetables, frequently called “The Dirty Dozen.” This is the list of the foods that are most likely to have pesticide residue. Meaning, they are foods that should be purchased organically. They also offer a list of foods that are least likely to have pesticide concerns (also called “The Clean Fifteen”).
Brussels sprouts didn’t make it on to either list in 2018. They aren’t of concern to people who want to avoid The Dirty Dozen. However, they aren’t on the cleanest-of-clean list. As a result, you might want to consider purchasing them organically if that’s an affordable and realistic option in your area.
How to Store Brussels Sprouts
Hopefully, you were able to purchase brussels sprouts with minimal tearing or yellowing on the leaves. However, every batch has some, so the first thing that you will want to do is to remove those before storing the sprouts.
Place the brussels sprouts in a produce bag, then store them in a cold area or your refrigerator.
If you are lucky enough to buy brussels sprouts that are still on the stalk, you can skip putting them in a bag. Instead, place the whole stalk inside of a pitcher of water to keep them fresh.
If you buy them fresh, the brussels sprouts may last up to several weeks in your refrigerator. However, they will start to get stronger and more bitter as more time passes. You should eat them within four days of storing them.
How to Freeze Brussels Sprouts
It’s best to eat brussels sprouts fresh, though you can store them in the freezer and eat them later if need be. If you want to go that route then you will need to blanch them first. They need to be blanched for 3-5 minutes, depending on their size. Store them in watertight containers in the freezer for up to one year.
