Christmas sprouts are actually Brussels sprouts, traditionally served boiled with a Christmas feast. They are rich in vitamins and fiber, but overcooking can make them soggy. Recipes often add bacon or chestnuts, and they can be steamed or roasted. The traditional Christmas dinner includes Yule sprouts, turkey, potatoes, vegetables, gravy, cranberry sauce, and fruit pudding. Brussels sprouts are a healthy and delicious year-round vegetable if cooked properly.
Christmas sprouts are actually Brussels sprouts. Traditionally served boiled, they have earned the name Christmas sprouts because they have always been part of the Christmas feast with turkey, gammon, roast potatoes and other vegetables. They are, in fact, eaten all year round and, if well cooked, can be a delicious vegetable to add to any meal.
Brussels sprouts, which resemble a miniature cabbage, were originally eaten in Europe. They are believed to be rich in glucosinolates, which are thought to have anti-cancer properties. They are also rich in vitamin C, vitamin K and fiber.
It’s easy to overcook Christmas sprouts, and this has earned them a reputation for being a rather soggy and overpowering vegetable. The longer they are cooked, the more potent they become and the more they lose their favorite green colour. Shorter cooking times make for a fresher and tastier dish.
There are many recipes for Christmas sprouts, each with their own additions to enhance the flavor. Many cooks add bacon, which adds a smoky flavor, pecans, or a combination of the two. Chestnuts also add a delicious, nutty flavor and are a favorite at Christmas. Instead of boiling them, steaming or roasting the sprouts can give them a different flavor. Whatever cooking method you use, it’s essential not to overcook them.
The traditional Christmas dinner, usually eaten on Christmas Eve, December 24, or Christmas Day, December 25, is a feast of food, including Yule sprouts. This is especially true in the northern hemisphere, where Christmas is in the middle of winter and a hearty, warm meal is appreciated. It is usually made from roasted turkey, although other poultry such as duck or chicken may also be eaten, accompanied in some cases by roasted gammon, pork, or lamb.
Roast or mashed potatoes with vegetables, traditionally carrots and Brussels sprouts, and gravy round out the meal. Cranberry sauce is traditionally served with turkey, which can also be stuffed with chestnut stuffing. The meal is followed by the traditional Christmas fruit pudding which can be served lit and accompanied by brandy butter. Trifle is also traditionally served around Christmas time.
While Christmas sprouts traditionally earned their name, Brussels sprouts are actually a healthy and delicious year-round vegetable. The trick is in the cooking method. Gently cooked and served either plain, with a little butter, or with tasty additions like nuts or bacon, Brussels sprouts can be a delicious and nutritious side dish.
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