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?

Author information

The Food Curator

The Food Curator (AKA Michael Robinson) is an aficionado of all things food and bon viveur based in London. A passion for cooking and dining has driven him to put fingers to keyboard to bring you his thoughts on the world of food. When not writing, eating or cooking he has a love of American muscle cars. Pop on over to my Facebook page and let's start a Facebook food revolution together: http://tinyurl.com/thefoodcurator

|

The post New (oldish) greens appeared first on Food on the Blog. Post by The Food Curator