M found this fresh stalk of Brussels sprouts From Trader Joe’s.
I always thought it was cool to get them in stalks rather then in bags. No extra packaging wasted or needed either.
Brussels sprouts belong to the cabbage family. It’s a healthy vegetable that is high in vitamins A and C.
Interested in growing them? Check out these info and tips from the University of Illinois Gardening Extensive:
- Fall production is the most practical and rewarding in most parts of the country.
- Sprouts maturing in hot weather or under dry conditions are more likely to develop bitterness.
- In the proper season of the year, it can be grown with fair success in most areas of the country. In mild areas, or where there is deep snow cover, the sprouts may overwinter.
- Sprouts improve in quality and grow best during cool or even lightly frosty weather.”
I don’t plant to grow them anytime soon. But I do plan on cooking these. It would be best lightly steam or roasted with garlic and then drizzled with olive oil, Himalayan salt and ground black pepper.
These are Champagne grapes, but not the kind used to make champagne. They are also known as miniature currant grapes and Corinth grapes.
I picked these up at Trader Joe’s. Grown in the U.S.A. and only $1.79 per pound. I love finding little surprises like this at Trader Joe’s.
I soak all my fruits and vegetables in a bowl of water and vinegar. They are delicate little grapes, so you have to be gentle when handling them.
Champagne grapes are seedless and easy to eat. They are slightly crunchy and tart, but is soon replaced with intense sweetness. Even the wrinkly ones are good too. It’s like eating raisins off the vine.
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When I found out that potatoes are loaded with pesticides, I have resorted to eating only organic potatoes now. Because potatoes are root vegetables, they soak in more chemicals then other produce. Over 40 toxic pesticides are used on potatoes and most of these pesticides are linked to chronic side effects such as cancer, disruption in endocrine and reproductive system.
Conventional potatoes aren’t too expensive and available everywhere. But finding organic potatoes at a bargain price isn’t too easy. So when I saw these organic potatoes at Raley’s (Nob Hill) for only $3.50 per bag, it was a bargain. I usually get my organic potatoes and yams from Trader Joe’s at $4 or more per bag.
The best thing of all is that these potatoes taste so much better then Trader Joe’s variety. The bag stated “russet potatoes”, but it was much smaller and the skin was lighter too. Almost reminded me of those Yukon Gold potatoes. The skin was also very thin and not that bad to eat either.
These potatoes are almost sweet and has just the right texture. I usually steam my potatoes to make salad. Tuna, chicken or beans is a good addition to potato salad. I also like to add them to Thai curry, bean soups, or baked with Italian herbs. Or just steam and eat with Dijon mustard. It’s a much healthier snack then potato chips!
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