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Brussels sprouts are a vegetable crop, a kind of cabbage. Many people confuse a vegetable with an ornamental plant because of its attractive appearance. The closest related vegetable crops are broccoli and cauliflower.
Frozen Brussels sprouts are rather small – the diameter does not exceed 3 centimeters. It grows in bunches, about 30 cabbage heads.
Chefs add frozen Brussels sprouts to different dishes, the main of which are salads. Breakfasts prepared with the addition of fresh Brussels sprouts are also quite popular.
Nutritionists especially appreciate this product because of its rich vitamin composition.
The Story
Producers grow Brussels sprouts all over the world. Now it is hard to determine which country started the cultivation of the vegetable first. The first mentions go back to Belgium in the 16th century.
The Belgians began to promote the nutritional properties of the product and grow it on the territory of Brussels. The region of growth gave the name to the vegetable.
Brussels sprouts quickly spread to neighboring countries and regions. By the end of the 16th century, farmers began to grow the product in the Netherlands. In the 19th century, the vegetable reached the neighboring continent – North America.
After the First World War, Brussels sprouts spread across Europe. Currently, you can find the product in any country.
The British loved this decorative cabbage so much that they made it a national dish.
Finally, Brussels sprouts can also be found frozen in any US grocery store.
Chemical composition
Fresh Brussels sprouts are rich in vitamins and minerals. It is a nutritious product containing high amounts of vitamin A, B, C and K. Daily consumption of 250 grams of frozen Brussels sprouts fills the body’s need for ascorbic and folic acids.
Among different beneficial substances, experts note fiber, omega-3, zinc, phosphorus, and copper.
Roasted Frozen Brussels sprouts are quite a high-calorie product. Only 100 grams of the product contains 350 calories.
The vegetable contains a high amount of water and patches consist of 90% of it. The content of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates in the product is low.
Beneficial properties
Brussels sprouts have lots of positive effects on the body:
- Diuretic
- Choleretic
- Laxative
- General strengthening
- Anti-inflammatory
Among the main beneficial properties, experts distinguish:
Benefits for digestion. Due to the high fiber content, cabbage has a protective effect on the gastric mucosa. Brussels sprouts also improves the digestive process.
Benefits for the cardiovascular system. Brussels sprouts can reduce the risk of atherosclerosis and heart attack. The product has an anti-inflammatory effect, supporting the overall health of the heart.
Antioxidant effect. Due to the high content of vitamins A and C, the product actively fights oxidative processes in the body.
Effect on bone tissue. Vitamin K contained in the vegetable strengthens the bone tissue well. And minerals help to maintain joint health and stop their rapid destruction.
Strengthening immunity. Vitamin C is known for its ability to protect the immune system. Ascorbic acid is also able to protect the body from harmful bacteria and infections.
Help with diabetes. Due to the content of alpha-lipoic acid, the vegetable can equalize the level of glucose and insulin.
Also experts say that the juice of Brussels sprouts has the most powerful nutritional properties. It saturates the body with vitamins, helps restore the functions of the pancreas, and participates in the process of hematopoiesis.
Possible contraindications
Like any product, Brussels sprouts have some contraindications.
Negative effect on the thyroid gland due to the high content of glucosinolates.
High content of vitamin C can provoke excessive secretion of gastric juice. It is dangerous for people suffering from stomach problems.
Otherwise, Brussel sprout is a beneficial and nutritious product.
Are Frozen Brussel sprouts mushy?
Frozen Brussels sprouts are a no less valuable source of vitamins and minerals than fresh vegetables.
Many people worry that the frozen product will not be soft, but this is not the case. It is significant to freeze Brussels sprouts properly so that they are not stiff.
Choose the following vegetables for freezing:
- elastic
- dense
- without yellowness and traces of damage
- without any damage
- not too small
How to freeze Brussels sprouts correctly?
- Pour water into a saucepan and bring to a boil (3 liters per 1 kg)
- Put the fresh Brussels sprouts in a saucepan and cook for about 3 minutes.
- Cool the cabbage heads and place them in a plastic bag. Remove the air from there.
- Place the product in the freezer.
After freezing, you can consume frozen Brussels sprouts for a year. So you can keep a bag or two of veggies in the freezer.
How do you steam frozen Brussel sprouts?
You can steam frozen Brussels sprouts. It will give you a guarantee of the softness of the product.
Follow the instructions:
- Wash the Brussels sprouts under cold water.
- Prepare a bowl for a slow multicooker.
- Put the washed vegetables in a bowl, add salt and pepper.
- Add a little olive oil and mix well.
- Cook on a special mode for about 10-15 minutes.
Do you defrost Brussel sprouts before cooking?
Experts do not recommend specially defrosting frozen Brussels sprouts before cooking. Just boil the vegetables, completely covering them with water in a saucepan.
There is also no need to increase the cooking temperature.
Any cooking process involves heat treatment and exposure to high temperatures. This temperature will easily cope with the process of defrosting the product.
Why are my frozen Brussel sprouts brown inside?
Brussels sprouts can change the color of the cut to brown when frozen. Why is this happening? The reason lies in the incorrect processing of the product before the freezing process.
Also, the cause may be the innate structure of the frozen vegetable. The color of the cut can become not only brown but also blue.
Another reason is insufficient freezing temperature. Professional chefs advise freezing vegetables at a temperature of 18-22 degrees below zero.
How long do Brussel sprouts take to boil?
It is significant to cook frozen Brussels sprouts properly. Choose the right temperature and cooking time. If you undercook or overcook the product, it will have an unpleasant taste and consistency.
Boiled Brussels sprouts recipe step-by-step:
- Wash frozen Brussels sprouts and place them in a saucepan.
- Fill the product with water so that it completely covers it.
- Add salt and pepper as desired.
- Cook the product over medium heat for 10-12 minutes.
Can you eat Brussel sprouts raw?
Brussels sprouts are a vegetable. Like any other vegetable, you can eat the product raw. Such Brussels sprouts will have a whole set of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals.
You can chop Brussels sprouts, add them to salads and other dishes.
Why do chefs cook Brussels sprouts?
Fresh Brussel sprouts has a bitter taste, which many people find unpleasant. The cooking process helps to get rid of bitterness and make the product blander.
That is why during the cooking process you should add salt and spices to the water.
How to roast frozen Brussel sprouts in the microwave
You can cook the product not only in a saucepan but also in a microwave. This method will be much faster and more convenient.
Follow the step-by-step cooking instructions:
- Prepare 400 grams of frozen Brussel sprouts and place it in a bowl. Pay special attention to the choice of the bowl – it must be suitable for exposure to a microwave oven.
- Pour 1/4 cup of water into a bowl.
- Place the bowl in the microwave. Set the power to 800 watts. The time is 5 minutes.
- Remove the bowl from the microwave, add salt and spices to the product. Put it back for 5 minutes again.
How to cook frozen Brussel sprouts in the oven
Many housewives like to freeze Brussels sprouts for easier cooking. To make the baking process easier and faster, cut the heads of the product in half.
You can also spread balsamic vinegar in advance.
Prepare the ingredients:
- 1 bag of frozen brussels sprouts
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) olive oil
- 1-3 teaspoons of salt
Step-by-step instructions for baking in the oven:
- Preheat the oven to 200 degrees.
- While preheating the oven, start preparing the Brussels Sprouts.
- Take a baking sheet and brush it with olive oil. For convenience, you can use a brush. Place the baking sheet in the oven to warm up.
- Take out the frozen Brussels sprouts and place them in a bowl.
- Add olive oil to the bowl. Mix well.
- Sprinkle the heads of Brussels sprouts with salt. You can choose the right amount of salt yourself. However, the most optimal is 1-3 teaspoons.
- Let the Brussels sprouts soak in salt and olive oil. To do this, you can move the product with your hands.
- Spread the vegetables evenly on a baking sheet. The heads mustn’t touch each other.
- Start baking vegetables. The baking time is 45 minutes. To check the readiness, look at the color of Brussels sprouts. It should be golden in color and a little bit crispy.
Also, this dish can become a good and nutritious snack for many. After baking, the shelf life of the product is three days in the refrigerator.
Tip: You can serve roasted Brussels sprouts as a side dish.
Best Way To Cook Frozen Brussel Sprouts( saute )
You can not only cook or bake frozen Brussels sprouts but also fry them. To do this, prepare the following ingredients:
- brussels sprouts – 0.4 kg
- water – 2 liters
- grated Parmesan cheese
- lemon juice
- salt, pepper
- breadcrumbs – 40 g
- refined vegetable oil
Roasted Brussels Sprouts Recipe step-by-step:
- Boil the water, add salt there.
- Take frozen Brussels sprouts and peel off the top leaves. You can also cut the heads of the vegetable into smaller pieces.
- Place the product in boiling water. Boil for 5 minutes after boiling. It is necessary for defrosting frozen Brussels sprouts.
- Allow the vegetable to dry from excess water.
- Prepare the frying pan. Pour olive oil or vegetable oil into it. Place the vegetables in a frying pan and roast for about 8 minutes. Do not forget to mix.
- Sprinkle the vegetables with breadcrumbs and add pepper. Roast for a few more minutes.
- For the best result add some parmesan cheese on the top.
How to thaw frozen Brussel sprouts
There are several options for defrosting Brussels sprouts. The fastest of them is to boil in boiling water. To do this, you need to prepare a saucepan, add water there and put vegetables there.
Boil it for about 2-3 minutes after boiling the water. If you do this for longer, the product will become too soft and tasteless.
You can also defrost Brussels sprouts in the microwave. To do this, you must prepare a bowl that is suitable for exposure to microwave rays. Add a little water there, put the vegetables there, and put them to cook for a couple of minutes.
Defrosting mode is also suitable, in this case, you should not add water.
Another way is the longest. It is a natural defrosting. To do this, you just need to put the frozen Brussels sprouts on a dish or a nonstick baking sheet and wait for the vegetables to defrost themselves.
How to cook frozen Brussel sprouts in an air fryer
The least common way of cooking Brussels sprouts is frying in an air fryer. Prepare the following ingredients:
- brussels sprouts
- olive oil
- seasonings (salt, pepper, spices)
Step-by-step instructions for Brussels Sprouts Recipe:
- To start, preheat the fryer to 200 degrees Celsius (400 degrees Fahrenheit).
- Mix frozen Brussels sprouts with olive oil in a bowl. Add spices.
- Take the fryer basket. Put the Brussels sprouts in there. Roast for about 5 minutes until crispy.
Brussels sprouts made in a deep fryer can be a great healthy snack.
Final thoughts
Brussels sprouts are a very healthy and nutritious product. Vegetables consist of vitamins, minerals, and valuable compounds. Experts consider the product to be a significant element of human nutrition.
Brussels sprouts help to cope with diseases of the heart, gastrointestinal tract and cope with diabetes.
You can consume the product both raw and frozen. Frozen Brussels sprouts practically do not differ in their nutritional composition from fresh produce.
It is significant to properly carry out the process of choosing cabbage for freezing and carefully select the freezing temperature itself.
Vegetables should be small, elastic, and devoid of cracks and cuts. In case of defects or incorrectly selected temperature, the Brussels sprouts inside may turn brown or even blue.