Sprouts

When I posted on Saturday I included a picture of my sprouts that I was growing, pretty much because the picture wasn't blurry and that have been a novel thing on this blog lately. Both Deborah and Cris asked me to share some information about how I grew the sprouts.

There's really not much to tell. I've been growing sprouts on and off for years and years. I have always used Mumm's brand. They have starter kits which contain seeds, 2 pieces of netting and 2 rubber bands.


Basically you put a spoonful of seeds into a jar (like a large yogurt container or spaghetti jar) and cover the top with the mesh netting. You can also use cheesecloth in place of the netting. Secure it in place with the rubber band. Fill the jar half full of water and let it sit over night. The next day drain off the water and place the jar upside down at an angle, so the water can drain off. Don't forget to throw away any water that drains out of the jar. Leave the jar on the counter (it does not need to be in direct sunlight) and then twice a day rinse and drain the seeds. They should start to sprout in a day or two. Grow the sprouts until they are 2" or so long, and then you can start eating them. I prefer to grow small amounts at a time so the sprouts don't go bad before I get through them all.


You can also grow spouts the old fashioned way - in soil! Fill a small pot or even a margarine container with dirt, then plant seeds - like beet, broccoli, etc - quite thickly. When the plants have sprouted to 1 or 2 inches high, simply cut them off and eat them.

Sprouts are tasty and fabulous for you. You can add them to sandwiches and wraps, toss them into salads, or eat them just as is. When I have ready to eat sprouts my favorite breakfast is a flour tortilla spread with hummus and topped with chopped tomatos and fresh sprouts. Mmm-mmm!


For further reading and info:

Sprouting at home from Mumm's
Sprout People
Growing Sprouts for your health