Allotments 4 All

Hi,

Just wondered how to keep them purple when cooking - they keep going blue!

thanks
Liam

Blue  :o! My purple sprouting brocc goes green, like the purple podded beans - just assumed this was normal  ::)

Have you tried steaming them?  Mine do go blue-ish, but are still more purple than blue.... :-\

Steaming's nicer, & better, for most things, but you  normally get green, rather than purple. But white does stay white!

One or 2 other pointers in this - http://www.innvista.com/health/foods/vegetables/broccoli.htm

Tim I love that cartoon.  I've picked quite a few purple veg to grow and I'm going to print that pic off and put it up in the kitchen.

Yes, the cartoon made me smile too!  I will (hopefully) be taking some red and blue potatoes up to my sister late this year, so my nieces can experince natural red and blue mashed potato!!!

mat

Talking of steaming - why boil out all the goodness (on the right) when you can get 1/2 pt of real veg stock & save vitamins by steaming??

PS Neither were pure purple sprouting. As you can see!

Had my 5 yr old niece over for the day last sunday, so we visited the allotment

and picked all available brocolli which amounted to enough for one  small child.

Cooked sunday lunch and gave brocolli to emily who 'pushed' it around the plate.

Knowing that it was her favourite vegetable, I asked if she liked it.

"Its alright" she said thoughtfully, " but my mummys is more....( rolled eyes to ceiling

in thoughtful way) .............."damp"   ;D ;D ;D

Apparently her mum boils veg  :-X

Debs ;D

Love it!!

isn't it so fantastic how candid youngsters can be without a trace of malice  ;D

how many are picking purple sprouting?  mine still is not ready! :(

Those wonderful wildlife birds have tramped down my net and nibbled the tops. But I have chopped them down a lot shorter in the vain hope they will sprout lower. I then salvaged the leaves and made some quite nice soup with that. Please note the wonderful wildlife quip have been diagnosed as starting with blood pressure should I let rip or work thro my emotions. ( I accept that wild life can come and rip all my veg. Let me stare into a lit candle and contemlate the dilema)

I had a few early ones at the start of the month, then nowt. Lots of promise - teeny weeny ones on the stems, fat leafy tops - but not enough to fill a basket yet. They will probably all come at once, so keeping a daily check  ::)

Oh good so glad I'm not tail end charlie again  :o

Once again - patience!!

Depending upon which variety you have, & allowing for the exceptional cold, you could be starting any time from now until until April.

Interesting that the Market have had lush stuff for a month.

'Scuse my lack of understanding here - are you all talking about purple sprouting broccoli, or about purple brussels sprouts?

erm, I was talking about purple sprouting broccoli  :P

That looks great supersprout.

My purple sprouting turned into cauliflowers, and small pathetic ones at that - yet another labelling slip up methinks. The birds have attacked my 9 star perennial. Must try harder this year  ;D

Oooh yes, they look lovely! (Must remember to get some going this year).
Did wonder about brussels sprouts though too - was it EJ that grew them and posted advice, or a pic?

I grew purple sprouts, and they have been great.  Slower to fatten that the green Brilliant, but still very plentiful!  I love sprouts so couldn't tell you which taste better as for me, whether harsh and irony or mild and sweet, I can't get enough of them.

Your purple sprouting looks fab!  I haven't been able to get to the plot now for 3 weeks and really really really want to go tomorrow so I am keeping everything crossed that I will have some to pick!

Ooops! - talking about sprouting? - so was I.

That's really great stuff Sprout.