Falstaff: Brussel Sprout or Shakespearean Character?

Seriously, even I can't believe I am about to compare a brussel sprout to Shakespeare...but that's the name of these cuties...Falstaff Brussel Sprouts...I've written about them before, so you may remember that they are purple, one of the reasons I am so nutty about growing them.

But why the name Falstaff? I mean, what's that about? I vaguely remember Falstaff as a character from Shakespearean plays...and I am embarrassed to say I don't remember more than that...note: the author has a degree in English from a private college...and the student loans to prove it... In my shame, I decided to do a quick search on just who this Falstaff is...Suffice it to say, Falstaff is a scoundrel, with a dicey reputation...and apparently, one of Shakespeare's funniest characters...this is all starting to make sense to me.

Brussel Sprouts have had a bad reputation for years...children run screaming from the room when they hear they are being served for dinner. Parents use them in punitive ways, "If you don't eat your brussel sprouts, you won't be able to eat dessert." What???? No one stands between me and dessert...

So, it seems these little cuties are aptly named...their reputation for general yucky-ness coupled with the comedic value of a purple vegetable, definitely makes them eligible to be a character in a Shakespearean play...not the tragedies, the histories, which is weird, because I would have thought the comedies, but I digress...

These little guys grow best in cool weather, so theoretically, they should do really well here in the Pacific Northwest. We have had a really cool spring, but now suddenly have 90 degree weather. Hopefully, it will cool down so they don't fry...

And speaking of frying...well, really sautéing, that's one of my favorite ways to cook them. Check out my blogs,Gardener to Farmer and Gardener to Farmer, Too for more growing information and other ways I love to prepare them.