Brussels Sprouts and Broccoli with Cranberry Agrodolce

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A quick, high-temperature oven roast yields crispy, golden-brown brussels sprouts and smoky, almost-charred broccoli.

Brussels and Broccoli Agrodolce
Photo: Photo by Christopher Testani / Food Styling by Margaret Monroe Dickey / Prop Styling by Prissy Lee
Active Time:
25 mins
Total Time:
30 mins
Yield:
6 servings

Broccoli and brussels sprouts are a perfect match in this easy, elegant side dish. Tossed in a sweet and tangy sauce studded with tart cranberries, Fresno chiles, and shallots, the vegetables are cooked at a high temperature to give them a roast-y flavor and frizzly crispiness that a lower temperature can't provide. This recipe demonstrates why broccoli and brussels sprouts should be paired together more often.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is agrodolce, anyway?

    "Agrodolce," in Italian, literally translates to "sour-sweet." It's both a flavor and the name of a condiment that's traditionally made by cooking down vinegar and honey, often with caramelized onions and dried fruit (in this case, cranberries) and sometimes with pine nuts or a spicy element like chiles. You'll typically find it served with either meat or vegetables, but the possibilities are endless — including in this broccoli and brussels sprouts recipe.

  • Are brussels sprouts and broccoli related?

    Yes! In fact, broccoli and brussels sprouts are two cultivars of the same species, Brassica oleracea — the results of extensive breeding to bring out different characteristics. Many of our favorite colder season vegetables are also of this same species, including cabbage, kale, collard greens, kohlrabi, and cauliflower.

  • Are you supposed to peel brussels sprouts before cooking?

    There's no real need to peel brussels sprouts, but you may find that some outermost leaves are dry or discolored. Remove any that look unappealing, but don't go overboard. You can also trim the bases of the sprouts in any case where the stem is longer or thicker.

Notes from the Food & Wine Test Kitchen

Because of the high roasting temperature, you'll want to use an oil with a higher smoke point so the flavor isn't compromised — ideally, a neutral oil like canola or avocado.

This broccoli and brussels sprouts recipe also calls for crushed whole coriander seeds, which are more potent than the ground spice you can purchase in a jar. A mortar and pestle is ideal for crushing spices since it can break them down and release flavors without creating the heat of an electric grinder (which can impact the taste). We've rounded up the best mortar and pestle sets in various sizes and materials.

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Ingredients

  • 1 pound fresh brussels sprouts (about 3 cups), halved lengthwise 

  • 6 cups fresh broccoli florets (about 14 ounces

  • 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon avocado oil or canola oil, divided 

  • 1 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, divided 

  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

  • 1/4 cup thinly sliced shallot

  • 1 medium fresh red Fresno chile (about 1/2ounce), thinly sliced

  • 1 teaspoon coriander seeds, crushed

  • 1/2 cup red wine vinegar

  • 1/4 cup honey

  • 1 fresh or dried bay leaf

  • 1/4 cup sweetened dried cranberries

Directions

  1. Place a rimmed baking sheet in oven. Preheat oven to 450°F. (Leave baking sheet in oven as it preheats.)

  2. Place brussels sprouts and broccoli in a large bowl; drizzle with 1/4 cup oil, and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon salt and black pepper. Toss well to coat. Carefully remove hot baking sheet from oven. Add brussels sprout mixture to baking sheet; spread in an even layer. Roast in preheated oven until vegetables are tender and browned and broccoli tops are frizzled and almost burned, 15 to 18 minutes.

  3. Meanwhile, heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil in a small saucepan over medium. Add shallot, Fresno chile, and coriander; cook, stirring occasionally, until shallot starts to soften, about 3 minutes. Stir in vinegar, honey, bay leaf, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil over medium. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until slightly syrupy, 6 to 8 minutes. Stir in cranberries; cook, stirring occasionally, until cranberries have plumped slightly, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Discard bay leaf.

  4. Place roasted vegetables in a large bowl; add cranberry mixture and toss to coat. Serve warm or at room temperature. 

Originally appeared: November 2021

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