Brussels sprouts are synonymous with Irish Christmas dinner, but there are plenty of people who say they don’t like these “mini-charcoals”. We’re not one of them and we’re sure this recipe, including bacon, will change people’s minds.
For many of us Irish at IrishCentral Towers, potatoes are the other vegetables that appear on our Christmas plate, along with celery, carrots and Brussels sprouts. While the latter might get a bad rap with some people, we have to say that these Ireland grown green beauties, properly prepared, are divine.
These wonder greens, Brussels sprouts, were probably cultivated as early as the 13th century in ancient Rome and elsewhere in Europe. During the 16th century, its popularity grew in Holland and Belgium, which is where the name comes from.
In Ireland and the UK, Brussels sprouts are associated with Christmas Day in many minds, but the truth is that two-thirds of the annual growth of this member of the cabbage vegetable is consumed outside of the Christmas period.
When the crew in Waterford, Grow it Yourself, we put it this way:
“While many people associate Brussels sprouts only with Christmas dinner, you can (and should) enjoy these vegetables for most of the year. The consumption of Brussels sprouts not only brings a lot of nutrients with it, but also plays an important role in the winter vegetable garden for many GIYers.
“Although they have a long growing season (8 months), they are extremely productive – only three or four plants produce a bunch of produce during the lean winter months, with each healthy plant producing up to 2kg of sprouts.”
Without further ado … here’s a great Christmas recipe!
Fried Brussels Sprouts with Lard Recipe
Serves: 4-6 people
Time: 25 minutes
ingredients
– 600g Brussels sprouts, cleaned, larger ones cut in half
– 2 tbsp olive oil
– salt and black pepper
– 100g bacon
method
– Preheat the oven to 200˚C / 180˚C fan-assisted / gas mark 6.
– Put the Brussels sprouts in a large bowl. Drizzle with olive oil, season with salt and black pepper and toss.
– Transfer the sprouts to a large baking sheet, making sure they are spread out in a single layer. Distribute the bacon cubes evenly on the sprouts.
– Fry for 25 minutes until golden brown, turning halfway.
– Serve immediately.
More delicious Irish recipes can be found at www.BordBia.ie.