Purple Sprouting Broccoli

Purple Sprouting Broccoli

In the first few months of the year, there’s very little growing in the gardens at Worminster Farm but at least we can celebrate PURPLE SPROUTING BROCCOLI as it miraculously ‘flowers’ and comes into its own - especially surprising after morning frosts.

 The @cultjar SPROUTING BROCCOLI recipe was created in partnership with the award-winning author @thomeagle one of the UK’s leading voices on fermentation. While many of the CULTJAR recipes are perfectly simple to make this one is not. After harvesting the broccoli, it is important to apply some urgency in getting the florets with their tender stalks and surrounding leaves into seasoned water and blanch for just 30-45 seconds.  Then, quickly drain and start a relatively short (about 1 week) fermentation followed by a more conventional pickling in cider vinegar with chilli flakes, mustard seeds, cumin and turmeric.

We think this pickle is delicious with various cheeses or a charcuterie board. It also works well as a side dish or added to a salad, but we prefer it as a pre-supper nibble, to help whet the appetite, especially when served with a crisp white wine or rosé. And, for the health conscious, we also know that purple sprouting has been found to contain higher contents of antioxidant compounds compared with green broccoli.

Head over to www.cultjar.co.uk for more information.