Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Garlic and Aged Asiago
- May 19
- 3 min read
Updated: Jun 16
I've always believed that if you don't like a particular food, try preparing it a different way. Brussels sprouts are one of those ingredients you either love them or hate them. I used to steam them, which turned them into bitter little cabbage heads. Luckily, I didn’t give up on them, because I discovered that roasting is a total game changer. It brings out a beautiful caramelized sweetness that completely transforms their flavour. Paired with garlic and Asiago cheese, these Brussels sprouts make the perfect side dish for just about any meal.
In this article, you will learn:
Conclusion
References
Folk Lore - Brussels Sprouts
Thought to be named after the Belgian capital, Brussels sprouts were first cultivated in the 13th century and became a popular crop by the16th century⁽¹⁾.
In the Middle Ages, leafy greens like Brussels sprouts were viewed with deep suspicion as some believed malevolent spirits lurked between their tightly packed leaves, ready to invade the bodies of the unsuspecting. This superstition gave rise to several curious explanations for the old custom of cutting a cross into the base of each sprout before cooking⁽¹⁾.
One theory claims the practice originated with early Christian missionaries, who used the cross as a protective blessing, some believe that St. Patrick marked the vegetables to ward off evil and encourage safe digestion. A second explanation, rooted in Norse mythology, interprets the cut as a nod to the sacred X-shaped rune associated with Odin’s sacrifice on the World Tree⁽²⁾.
The final and most earthy explanation proposes that flatulence, long seen as a sign of spiritual disturbance, needed divine intervention. By scoring a cross into each sprout, medieval cooks hoped to expel the devil, along with the gas⁽²⁾.
Nutrition in Brussel Sprouts
Brussel Sprouts⁽³⁾
Rich in Vitamin K, Vitamin C and folate
Supports bone, skin and eye health
High in antioxidants
Stimulates the immune system
May reduce the risk of metabolic syndrome
Olive oil⁽⁴⁾
Possesses anti-inflammatory properties
Good source of Vitamin E, Vitamin K
Contains trace amounts of potassium
Supports immunity, cardiovascular and brain health
Lowers LDL cholesterol while increasing HDL cholesterol
Garlic⁽⁵⁾
Possesses antibacterial, antiviral, and antimicrobial properties
Improves circulation
Lowers LDL cholesterol and triglycerides while increasing HDL cholesterol
May help reverse arteriosclerosis
Stimulates the immune system
Supports respiratory and digestive health
Asiago Cheese⁽⁶⁾
Good source of protein and calcium
Recipe
Step 1: Gather and Prepare Your Ingredients
In cooking school, I learned that one of the best ways to make any recipe easier is to prepare everything ahead of time. This method is called mise en place, a French phrase meaning “everything in its place.” It’s all about gathering, prepping, and measuring your ingredients before you start cooking. Not only does it make the process smoother and more efficient, but it also ensures you won’t be caught off guard halfway through, realizing you’re missing an ingredient or, worse, completely out of it.
Step 2: Prepare Your Ingredients
Preheating my oven to 400°F, I quickly washed the Brussels sprouts, trimmed the bottoms, and cut them in half. I placed them on a roasting tray alongside minced garlic and shredded Asiago cheese. After drizzling everything with olive oil, I tossed it all together and roasted the mixture, keeping a close eye on the oven.
Conclusion
Sweet, salty, and a little nutty, these Garlic Asiago Brussels Sprouts are sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Even if Brussels sprouts haven’t won you over in the past, roasting them brings out a natural sweetness and caramelized flavor that might just change your mind.
References:
1. Fascinating facts: Brussels sprouts [Internet]. [cited 2025 May 17]. Available from: https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/grow-your-own/features/fascinating-facts-brussels#:~:text=In%20Medieval%20times%2C%20it%20was,drive%20the%20evil%20spirits%20away.
2. The Brussels sprouts controversy [Internet]. Dowsing for Divinity [cited 2025 May 17]. Available from: https://dowsingfordivinity.com/2017/04/01/the-brussels-sprouts-controversy/
3. Barbie Cervoni MS R. Brussels Sprouts Nutrition Facts and health benefits [Internet]. Verywell Fit; 2024 [cited 2025 May 17]. Available from: https://www.verywellfit.com/brussels-sprouts-nutrition-facts-calories-and-health-benefits-4118297
4. Barbie Cervoni MS R. Olive Oil Nutrition Facts and Health Benefits [Internet]. [cited 2025 May 17]. Available from: https://www.verywellfit.com/olive-oil-nutrition-facts-calories-and-health-benefits-4120274
5. Garlic [Internet]. Herbal Academy - The Herbarium [cited 2025 Apr 22]. Available from: https://herbarium.theherbalacademy.com/monograph/garlic/
6. Kincaid J, Asiago Cheese Nutrition Facts (is asiago a healthy cheese?) [Internet]. Cheese Scientist [cited 2025 May 17]. Available from: https://cheesescientist.com/science/asiago-nutrition-facts/
