Charred Brussels sprouts are the only way I like to eat Brussels sprouts. Charring them by roasting them at a high temperature brings out their natural sweetness, and gives them a nutty, smoky flavor.

This recipe evolved from the Charred Brussels Sprouts from Friendsgiving, which is, hands down, the most popular recipe in my book. I wanted to make it for a private cheffing gig I do monthly here in Syracuse but the challenge was that the menu had to be vegan and use all local ingredients, and the original recipe features feta cheese and pomegranate seeds. What to do?

I decided to replace the umami in the feta with fried shallots and the tartness of the pomegranate with diced apple. This new version of charred Brussels sprouts turned out awesome enough to rival the original and I love that it uses a trio of seasonal ingredients. The slight bitterness of the Brussels is balanced perfectly by the bright flavors of the balsamic and apple, and the fried shallots round everything out. (They’re a great topper for almost anything, really.)

A Few Notes…

In order to get properly browned, the Brussels have to be in a single layer on the baking sheet, with some free space left around each one. If your baking sheet is overcrowded, the Brussels will steam and become mushy instead of charring and maintaining their texture. Use 2 baking sheets if you have to.

The fried shallots can go from golden brown to burnt pretty quickly so be sure to keep an eye on them.

Charred Brussels Sprouts with Fried Shallots, Apple and Balsamic

(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)

Author: thenewbaguette.com
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Category: Side Dish
Method: Roasting
Cuisine: American

Description

These charred Brussels sprouts are a festive vegan side dish for any holiday table.

Scale

Ingredients

1 ½ pounds Brussels sprouts, trimmed
5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
¼ teaspoon fine sea salt, plus more for sprinkling
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
4 medium shallots, thinly sliced
⅓ cup balsamic vinegar
1 apple, cored and finely diced

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 425°F.
If your Brussels are on the larger side, halve or quarter them; small Brussels can remain whole.
On a baking sheet, toss the Brussels with 2 tablespoons of the oil, salt, and pepper to coat evenly. Arrange in a single layer and roast until crispy and dark brown, 15 to 20 minutes, tossing once halfway through cooking.
Meanwhile, heat the remaining 3 tablespoons of the oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add the shallots and fry, stirring frequently, until they’re caramel brown, 10 to 15 minutes; if they’re browning too quickly, reduce the heat. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the shallots to a paper towel-lined plate to drain the excess oil. Sprinkle with salt while the shallots are still hot.
Pour the vinegar into a small pot and bring to a simmer. Simmer over low heat until thick, syrupy, and reduced in volume by half, 5 to 10 minutes.
To serve, transfer the Brussels to a serving platter and top with the shallots and apple and drizzle with the balsamic. Serve immediately.