Caramelized Brussels Sprouts Leaves

I first started roasting the leaves of Brussels sprouts to use those that fell off while I was trimming the whole sprout for roasting. It seemed such a waste to discard them and I loved using the crisped little leaves in salads or as a garnish. I loved them so much that soon I was actually trimming the whole sprout to get the leaves. And hence, this Caramalized Brussels Sprouts Leaves recipe was born.

Whole Brussels sprouts can be difficult to cook through to the center without the leaves becoming overcooked, so this is a fun and delicious way solve to that problem

Removing Brussels Sprouts Leaves

Removing the Brussels sprouts leaves isn’t difficult. First, trim off the end of the sprouts using a 4" Gourmet Paring Knife.

Then, just start peeling the leaves off with your hands.

You may need to trim more off the end of the sprout as you peel off leaves to help them fall away. While it may take some time, it’s really fun and easy to do.

I call what’s left of the sprout after removing as many leaves as I can, “Brussels hearts.” I roast them separately or add them to sheet pan meals.

Preparing the Brussels Sprouts

Once the leaves are removed, the recipe moves quickly. Just toss them with some olive oil and my P.S. Flavor!™ Creole Kitchen (or any Creole seasoning or kosher salt) and roast at 400 F for a few minutes.

Keep a watchful eye on these beauties while in the oven. The perfect moment to remove them is when they turn bright green with little crispy browned edges.

Tossing the caramelized leaves with grated Parmesan and drizzling with a sweet tart glaze like balsamic or pomegranate molasses make for a lovely, elegant and memorable side dish. The earthiness of the Brussels sprouts are offset and balanced by the saltiness of the cheese and the sweetness of the balsamic or pomegranate glaze.