Posts Tagged “brussels sprouts”
By Diana McLean, Ocean Mist Farms
They may be small in size, but Brussels Sprouts are big in nutrition, flavor and versatility! Packed with vitamins, antioxidants and nutrients, Brussels Sprouts provide important health benefits to keep your body strong, and can be enjoyed raw, grilled, steamed, fried, and roasted.
Here are six ways Brussels sprouts are good for your health:
1. Brain Health: Brussels sprouts deliver folate, which works with vitamin B12 – found in fish, poultry, meat and dairy – to help prevent cognitive impairment.
3. Eye Health: Brussels sprouts contain disease-fighting phytonutrients, which help protect your eyes from cataracts and age-related macular degeneration.
4. Heart Health: Sprouts are rich in antioxidants, which can help reduce inflammation and promote a healthy heart when part of your regular diet.
5. Gut Health: Just half a cup of Brussels Sprouts contain 2 grams of fiber, which is 8% of your daily fiber needs. Fiber helps support a healthy digestive system and reduces the risk of heart disease.
6. Immune System Health: A 1-cup serving of Brussels Sprouts contains more than 130% of the daily value of vitamin K and high levels of naturally occurring vitamin C as well as B vitamins – all necessary nutrients for a strong immune system.
Setting the stage for another outstanding vine-ripe tomato season, Oceanside Pole is currently offering high quality, and highly anticipated Brussels sprouts.
Oceanside Pole Brussels sprouts complement the legendary grower’s much-anticipated round and roma pole grown tomato crop, tuning up the soil while extending the opportunities for the workers on the farm.
Thanks to the cool night temperatures and foggy, salt air, Oceanside Pole grows some of the best coastal sprouts in California, which are offered through the first week of June. The multi-generational family farm will also ship its popular vine-ripened tomatoes by the end of June through to the first week of November.
“Retailers continue to look forward to Oceanside Pole’s tomato season and this year is no exception,” Oppy’s Senior Sales Representative James Galindo said. Oppy is the exclusive marketer of the Oceanside Pole brand, selling on-location at the farm through the season. “The reputation of these tomatoes precedes itself, making them highly-sought after and rightfully so — their taste, texture and shelf life are truly exceptional.”
As the last remaining pole tomato producer in California, Oceanside Pole takes pride in their on-the-vine ripening process, which allows for a greater flavor profile compared to gas-ripened tomatoes while maintaining a strong shelf-life. Customers have also taken note of this superior quality and demand continues to grow, with West Coast Tomato Growers, owners of the Oceanside Pole tomato brand, increasing tomato acreage again this year, after expanding their operations in 2017.
About Oppy
Growing, marketing and distributing fresh produce from around the globe for more than 160 years, Vancouver, BC-based Oppy discovers and delivers the best of the world’s harvest. With over 50 million boxes of fresh fruits and vegetables grown on every continent moving through its supply chain annually, Oppy offers popular favorites from avocados and berries to apples and oranges year-round, alongside innovative seasonal specialties. Over the years, Oppy has introduced North Americans to a number of items across its diverse produce range, including Granny Smith, JAZZ and Envy apples, as well as green and gold kiwifruit. Go to oppy.com to learn more.
About Oceanside Pole
Growing for three generations, the Singh family is the last remaining pole tomato producer in California. Since 1939, they have tended vine-ripened tomatoes on the same land with the knowledge and expertise that can only come with time. Grown on an idyllic property near the historic Mission San Luis Rey in Oceanside, the Singh family has a calm, almost spiritual approach to growing their produce. The fresh, salty air and bright sunshine makes it seem like a calling—only with such a deep sense of care and determination can exceptional produce be harvested time and again. Go to oceansidepole.com to learn more.
The coloring of Kalettes® is stunning in its raw state. These “kale sprouts” are a colorful combination of purple stems and green leaves with a purple hue. The size of Kalettes® will vary due to the way they grow on the plant stalk and because they are hand harvested. Look for Kalettes® with hydrated leaves that have no yellowing or browning. The stems should look freshly cut; this is a great way to gauge the age of product.
Preparing Kalettes
HOW TO STORE
Kalettes® must be kept refrigerated at all times until they are ready to be used. Refrigerate in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator. To refresh, trim ends and submerge in ice water for a few minutes to re-crisp.
HOW TO PREPARE
Always rinse Kalettes® before using under cool water. Similar to how to prepare Brussels sprouts, trim the end off of each Kalette® to re-fresh the stem.
WHOLE
Kalettes® can be cooked and served in their whole state. Sauteing or steaming is the ideal application for using whole Kalettes®.
CHOPPING
What makes Kalettes® unique is that you get both the kale leaves and soft stems all in one vegetable, creating a medley of texture. Chop the entire Kalette® including the stem when preparing to cook. The smaller the stem pieces, the faster they will soften when cooked.
Cooking with Kalettes
How to Cook
Kalettes® are very versatile and may be sautéed, roasted, grilled or eaten raw. Here are a few ideas of how to use Kalettes® after rinsing.
The ways to cook Kalettes® are endless. Below are a few ideas of how to use Kalettes® after rinsing.
Roasting
To roast, place Kalettes® (either whole or chopped) in a roasting pan or baking sheet, coat with olive oil and bake at 475 degrees for 10 minutes.
Sautéing
Sauté chopped Kalettes® in a large pan for 5-7 minutes, covering for increased tenderness.
Grilling
Grill whole Kalettes® in a grill basket over medium heat for 10 minutes or until
slightly charred.
Raw
For extra texture, flavor and color add chopped Kalettes® to any salad blend.
As An Additional Ingredient
For extra texture, flavor and color add chopped Kalettes® to any recipe you would normally add a vegetable to (i.e.: green onions or bell peppers.) The sweet flavor of the Kalettes® pairs well with tomatoes. Add chopped Kalettes® to eggs, quiche, stuffing, pasta sauces…the uses are endless.