Surely this is a miracle you saw in supermarkets. Dense small heads of cabbage the size of a walnut are an exact copy of our usual white cabbage. In the world of cruciferous, it is a leader in the content of vitamins and minerals. In addition, her children are very fond of, because this cabbage is small. What is the name of this unique vegetable? This is Brussels sprouts, which refers to a variety of leaf.
Short description
Brussels sprouts are a vegetable crop, a two-year cross-pollinating plant that is unlike other species. White-headed, colored and other varieties give out a fruiting body throughout the year. Here you have to wait longer. In the first year of life, a cylindrical thick stem 60 cm high is formed, on the thin petioles of which long leaves with a slight waxy coating are formed. In the axils of these leaves are small heads of cabbage, round and dense. On one plant, up to 40 or more of these fruits can be tied. So it’s not such a disaster that the cabbage is small. The name of this amazing plant, we already know, it remains to talk about the beneficial properties and application.
However, we are not done. In the second year of life, highly branched flower shoots develop. By flowering, they give seeds. Flowers are collected in a medium-sized brush. The fruit is a pod, the seeds are small, retain excellent germination. In the wild, cabbage is not found small. As its closest relative is called, even experienced botanists will not be able to answer today. This is the result of long and hard work of breeders, which gave such a wonderful result.
origin of name
A long time ago, back in the XVIII century, near Brussels, an unknown plant was discovered. It is difficult to say why it interested the researcher, but it was this find that gave rise to a new species. It was still not at all like modern, small cabbage. The name of it, at that time no one knew. However, in honor of the Brussels, she got her name, which she continues to wear today. This is an interesting fact, because researchers and breeders did not perpetuate their names in the name of the new plant.
New in your kitchen
All members of the cruciferous family are healthy. These are sources of fiber, vitamins and minerals. But it is small cabbage that has special taste qualities. As they say, we already said today, this is the famous Brussels, which is used to prepare first and second courses, and sometimes to decorate the holiday table.
Small heads of cabbage have a pleasant taste and dietary qualities. The content of vitamin C in it is about three times higher than in white cabbage. But its main advantage is that neat, tiny and dense balls are enjoyed by children without even thinking that this is the same nasty cabbage.
Source of nutrients
Despite the fact that this plant is not very common in summer cottages, many people liked this cabbage. Small heads of cabbage (we will talk a little later about this or that hybrid) contain a fantastic amount of vitamins and minerals, carotene and plant-based chemicals. Beta-carotene and vitamin C are powerful antioxidants that protect our body from the effects of free radicals. The unique composition provides the prevention of many diseases, including the digestive tract, with which far from everything is safe in most people.
What else is useful for small cabbage cabbage? We already know what a terrific vegetable is called, but the fact that it is able to provide the prevention of a huge number of lung diseases remains to be seen. Active substances plus vitamin C help strengthen immunity, which means that ARVI and ARI will not be as scary as before, even in the midst of the season.
From nature itself
What gives our body a little cabbage? What is the name of the diet in which it is recommended to eat daily? Let's deal with these noteworthy facts. In spring and autumn, many of us remember about vitamin complexes, which are important for maintaining immunity. What do we do then? Right, go to the pharmacy. And it is completely in vain, because a product such as Brussels sprouts contains almost all known vitamins, minerals and amino acids. Moreover, these are those natural compounds that do not cause an overdose, are easily absorbed and are only beneficial, unlike chemical and pharmacy.
Heart muscle strengthening
Since the name is called small Brussels sprouts, it is not difficult to guess where its ancestors grew. From Brussels, it quickly spread throughout Europe, and all due to the fact that the useful properties of this vegetable overshadowed everything known on that day. Yes, and today it is difficult to find a product equal to this cabbage.
Why are small gobies considered the best helpers for the heart? Because potassium and magnesium, iron and phosphorus, as well as calcium, together with high-quality protein, which is a part of cabbage, in the best way affect the work of the heart and improve the condition of blood vessels. Therefore, people over 40 should definitely include it in their diet at least several times a week.
For baby and diet food
Leafy garden vegetables are extremely beneficial for our body, but there are people who, with all desire, cannot eat most of them for food. This is especially true for winter varieties of white cabbage, which are famous for their high fiber content. With all its undoubted benefits, not every stomach and intestines are able to adequately perceive such loads.
And here comes to the rescue a small, round cabbage. What is the name of the most healthy vegetable in the world? Of course, each of them must be present in our diet, but Brussels sprouts are unrivaled. Its special value lies in the fact that, along with a high content of potassium and vitamin C, it has very little fiber. Therefore, bloating and other problems do not threaten you. This is an indispensable product for diet food. Doctors recommend as often as possible to include it in their diet for patients suffering from hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases.
The benefits of immunity
This is another reason to get acquainted with this cruciferous vegetable, and more specifically than just finding out the name of the little cabbage. Useful properties can be described for a very long time. And to put an end to this list, you are unlikely to succeed. Brussels sprouts are very useful in the recovery period after an illness. It positively affects the condition of the whole organism, improves immunity, positively affects the functioning of the pancreas.
There is great news for vegetarians, as well as for adherents of a healthy lifestyle and just wanting to lose weight. The broth, prepared on the basis of this vegetable, is not inferior to chicken in its nutritional properties. It is very useful to use fresh cabbage juice. To do this, it is usually mixed with carrot juice. This is very useful for diabetes and pancreatic dysfunction.
How to cook
Even if you come home very late and are not a fan of cooking home dinner, you will definitely not be disappointed with this product. The easiest way in the world is preparing Brussels sprouts. Useful properties and recipes given in our article will become an example for you how to easily and quickly turn a boring dinner into a real treat.
So, the easiest option is to boil it for several minutes over high heat, without closing the lid. So you save all the beneficial substances. And if you want to hit the household, then try baking it with eggs and cream. To do this, the cabbage heads are brought to half-preparedness in salted water, then fried in butter, after which they are filled with eggs and cream and baked in the oven until golden brown.
Delicious soup
First courses with this vegetable are an absolute favorite. It is simple, fast, tasty and nutritious. Cooking does not take more than 30 minutes of time. A small saucepan will require 300 g of potatoes and 100 g of carrots, onions and 200 g of Brussels sprouts, herbs and sour cream.
First potatoes are sent to the pot. It must first be cut into strips and washed. Carrots and onions are lightly passaged in a pan, after which they are added to the boiling broth. The last tossed cabbage. Now salt and spices are added, let it boil for 5 minutes and turn it off. Do not try to digest the heads of cabbage. Cabbage should be hard and crispy enough.
Snack salad
It is perfect for any dinner, meat or fish dish, and will also become a self-sufficient dish. Of course you will need a little cabbage. The beneficial properties of this vegetable are complemented by a high protein content, which is why it can become an alternative to animal products.
So, you need 500 g of green heads of cabbage. They need to be cut in half and boiled in salted water for about 10 minutes. Separately, boil 200 g of potatoes, chop and add to the total mass. Onion and salt, pepper and oil can be additional ingredients.
Fresh vegetables appetizer
Most useful is the use of raw vegetables, this is a known truth. Therefore, the less you heat the cabbage, the more vitamins and minerals your body will receive. Try making a simple salad of raw cabbage and carrots, as well as green peas. To do this, finely chop the vegetables, mix them together, add salt and oil. An excellent snack is ready, it can be served with any dish, it will look great on the festive table. Supplementing your diet with such a dish daily, you will soon notice that the gastrointestinal tract has begun to work much better.