It’s always interesting to find a new product, especially when it’s a new kind of vegetable!
Yes while strolling though Mark & Spencer picking up some ingredients for a Sunday roast, I noticed a pack marked “flower sprout” I had never heard of this before. Further reading confirmed this is indeed a “new and exclusive vegetable”, and interestingly that it “arouse naturally from a crossing of Brussel sprouts and kale”. Finally there is a bold promise on the package of “a mild nutty flavour that will appeal to all”.
Now I like Brussel sprouts and I like kale, but I also know a lot of people don’t like either of these greens. So how do they taste?
Well I loved them!
The small sprouts look like wildly unfolded Brussels, and have a mixed light and dark green colour. First off they taste mildly of Brussel sprouts, then the flavour changes leaving an aftertaste closer to the strong chlorophyll and iron of kale.
It has a good texture too, the stalk of the sprouting leaves kept some “bite” while the leaves themselves held up well not going too soggy like sprouts can, but not quite having all the bite and firmer texture like kale.
So taste and texture are both good. It certainly went well with my roast chicken Sunday dinner, and would be great in stir fries. Another way to try them is with cheese sauce.
On the packet it says the flower sprouts were grown by George Read in Lincolnshire, but a quick look at their website doesn’t give any further clues about this new vegetable.
In fact flower sprouts aren’t mentioned anywhere
A quick Google search confirmed these are not in fact new they have been sold exclusively by M&S since 2010, However you can buy the seeds online from the flower sprouts creators Tozer Seeds, and grow them in your own garden!
At the official flower sprout website it says this product will be available in Waitrose soon.
Expect to see this interesting new “super food” in a supermarket near you soon!
Do you know of any other unusual vegetables which deserve to be in (or out) of our shopping baskets?
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Oh, I’ll definitely look out for them, they sound delicious.
@AnnGodridge It’s well worth tracking down 🙂
Why not talk to @DrAlanRae at http://theintelligentgarden.com/ – he does some excellent ‘old’ veg 😉 or http://www.fletchingglasshouses.co.uk/organicfoodhomedelivery.htm