How to make your own Broccoli Sprouts

Just because it's winter doesn't mean we can't still grow things. This week we learned about how to make our own broccoli sprouts from seed! Making your own sprouts is a fun, affordable, and easy way to cultivate a deeper relationship with your food, and include some super powered nutrients in your day! Sprinkle these babies on your sandwich, salad, or snack em' by the handful for a yummy, easy source of anti-oxidants (broccoli sprouts in particular contain one of the highest concentrated sources of anti-oxidants).

Here's how you do it.

Materials:

Pint-sized mason jar

Mason jar outer lid ring

Piece of fine mesh, or sprouting lid (sold at many hardware stores)

Broccoli Seeds (we source ours from Mountain Rose Herbs)

Bowl

Day 1:

Put two tablespoons of broccoli seeds into the mason jar

Cover seeds with a few inches of water

Wrap the mesh over the mouth of the mason jar, and secure with outer lid ring (or attach sprouting lid if using)

Shake a bit and drain the water through the lid, rinsing the seeds

Remove lid, and refill with a few inches of water

Reattach mesh lid and place jar in a cool, dry place (cupboard or drawer) overnight

Day 2-~6:

In the morning, drain water from jar.

Place jar in a bowl so that it tilts downward and continues to drain

Place the bowl and jar back in your cupboard.

Do this same process in the evening and continue twice a day for the next 5 or so days, draining the water from the bowl each time as well. I like to do it in the morning before breakfast, and in the evening after dinner but don't fuss too much about timing.

When you see long yellow tendrils growing from the seed-head they'll be ready to put out on the counter

Day 7:

Put those yellow tails out on your windowsill. No more need to rinse and drain, simply wait and watch them turn green! Give them a day or two to green up on the counter, then secure a normal lid to the top, and move them to the fridge. They should last a little under a week.

Enjoy!