Cross Your Sprouts

[Maydup]

Do you? Cross your sprouts?

I always do but read that there's no need to, so why do we cut a cross in them?

[boxtops]

There was a thread about this a while back - I always do, to help cook the thicker stem.

[ummmm]

No, I don't cut them. They are probably picked much younger nowadays.

[ubasses]

I never have. Just plunge in boiling water for 5 minutes.

[tonyav]

My mrs always cuts a cross in them, don't know why though.

[DTCwordfan]

I do as well, mainly out of habit, a chance to remove any spotted leaves. Tip - choose the small ones, they are sweeter, I find.

[petal54]

I used to,but tand to buy ready trimmed,so don't bother

[gingejbee]

Do people actually BOIL green veg, still? Steaming leaves veg cooked but not wet.

[shaneystar2]

I bought a stalk at the market yesterday .I'll cross the larger ones at the top but not the little ones at the bottom .I prefer the brussels tops really which we've just had with our dinner.

[ummmm]

Ginge, I rarely boil anything.

[2sp_]

I always thought it was done to repel Satan, they are his work after all.

[petal54]

no,2sp,parsnips /swedes are the spawn of the devil!!!

[Tilly2]

I think it's supposed to symbolise Christ's cross. (That's what I heard, anyway)

[tonyav]

Petal, roast parsnips are lovely, agree about swedes though.

[Tilly2]

When you say, swedes, do you mean turnips?

[tonyav]

And them as well, Yilly.

[excelsior-1]

never cross my sprouts - they are cross already

in fact - they are absolutely furious!

[sherrardk]

I just do it because my mam and gran did, don't think there is any need for it.

[2sp_]

I do like roast parsnips.

And you can't have haggis without your neeps and tatties!

[tamborine]

sprouts are sweetest chilled, buy frozen & save time

[Maydup]

They have to be fresh and cold, plunged into boiling water for a few minutes. Crossed for old times sake, simply because it comes naturally to me and no other reason.

I like sprout tops too, but its very rare you can find them to buy other than the single portion on a stalk from the market. Yet there must be loads discarded by the supermarket. I might start a campaign!