It's Movember again, when men are encouraged to talk about the fact that there are diseases unique to them, such as prostrate cancer. I'm proud of my rellies and friends who are joining in and growing bros.
From what I have read - and I’m no medical expert - it would seem that cruciferous vegetables, especially broccoli, could be players in the prevention of prostrate and colon cancer. Small quantities of broccoli sprouts may protect against cancer as effectively as much larger quantities of the mature vegetable. It’s a chemical they contain named sulforaphane that is reputedly the effective anti-cancer agent.
As I write, a bunch of them are growing in a jar on the windowsill in my kitchen - a perfect spot as it is light, but not too sunny. Harsh sunlight can fry sprouts!
I picked up my sprouting skills at a sprouting workshop held at IE produce in Takapuna, my local organic and fresh produce shop. Katrina Wright, the managing director of “The Wright Sprouts” had come up from Hawke’s Bay for the presentation and tasting.
At the sprouting session we learnt how to grow them and tasted a whole lot of different sprouts such as those made from adzuki beans, sunflower and broccoli seeds seeds, chick peas, blue beans, alfalfa and mung.
This is how you grow these mini super foods. The process is the same for different sprouts but some take a day or two longer to sprout than others.
How to sprout:
- Soak the beans overnight.
- Put in the lidded jar
- Put the jar upside down, or as Katrina does leave it to drain at an angle in the dish rack.
- Rinse once in the morning and once at night
- Sprouts need light but don't put them in direct sunlight or they will cook
- The sprouts will be ready to harvest in 3-5 days
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