The Parable of the Brussels Sprouts

Home

Are you using a browser that doesn't support JavaScript? If your browser does not support JavaScript, you can upgrade to a newer browser, such as Mozilla Firefox (recommended), Microsoft Internet Explorer or Apple Safari. If you have disabled JavaScript, you must re-enable JavaScript and reload the page to better access this site.

The Parable of the Brussels Sprouts

Written by Mitch Ditkoff

Thursday, 20 January 2011 11:45

When I was 24, I lived on Martha’s Vineyard, an idyllic island off the coast of Cape Cod. The island — with its endless beaches, blue skies, and perfectly winding country roads — was a dream come true.

One of the most extraordinary things about the island, however, had nothing to do with its natural beauty. It had to do with a bakery — the Scottish Bakehouse, to be more precise — a cozy little establishment owned and operated by the very Scottish Mrs. White.

The only thing that transcended Mrs. Whites’ scones and shortbreads was her extraordinary generosity. She always seemed to sneak in an extra cookie with each purchase. And then, one fine spring day — as if that wasn't enough — she donated a full acre of her land to my friends and I to use as a community garden.

Life was good.

Visions of homemade pesto sauce dancing in our heads, we planted whatever seeds we could find: tomato, basil, pepper, asparagus, lettuce, string bean, zucchini, cucumber, carrot, cantaloupe, watermelon, cauliflower and the hero of our little story — brussels sprouts.

We showed up every day. We watered. We weeded. We mulched. And, before we knew it — in keeping with thousands of years of natural law — everything was in full bloom. Everything, that is, except the brussels sprouts.

Oh, sure, the stalks grew, and lots of big, floppy leaves: but no actual vegetable.

Figuring we must have bought some bad seed, we shrugged our collective shoulders and went about our business of harvesting the rest of the crop.

And then… the moment of truth.

As I was tending the tomato plants just before harvesting, I accidentally dropped my glasses, bent to retrieve them, and happened to look in the direction of the underperforming row of brussels sprout stalks.

Lo and behold! I say unto you!

There, as far as the eye could see, were brussels sprouts everywhere! Enough, it seemed, to feed a small nation. Clustered on the stalks, they were growing under the leaves. From a standing position, it was impossible to see them. Who knew? They were hidden from sight.

Feeling like I‘d just won the lottery, I let out an extremely loud vegetarian war cry to share the good news with my gardening friends. For the next few hours, all we did was pick brussels sprouts — six bushels worth. For the next few weeks, we ate more kinds of brussels sprouts dishes than most people eat in a lifetime.

Yum yum.

Discovering the naturally occurring beauty inside of us is not all that different. It’s there, hidden from the eye at first glance, waiting. All we need to do is know how to see it.

Then we can feast.

Illustration by Sara Shaffer.

30 Comments

Ellie makes this comment

The Parable of the Brussels Sprouts

Thursday, 03 March 2011

Thanks Mitch! - it's up on the Sprout blog now http://loveasprout.wordpress.com/2011/03/03/the-parable-of-the-brussels-sprouts/
heather joy makes this comment

The Parable of the Brussels Sprouts

Monday, 28 February 2011

Thank you! Wonderful story..love blussel splits, and I knew where they were!
Sprout it on the Rooftops makes this comment

The Parable of the Brussels Sprouts

Monday, 21 February 2011

Hi Mitch, This is such a lovely story - I wondered if I could feature it on my blog too? It's a blog by someone who loves brussels sprouts, for people who love brussels sprouts, and there's a corner perfect for your story. Have a look at http://loveasprout.wordpress.com and let me know. And keep up the great work! Ellie (the sprout lover)
Mocha makes this comment

The Parable of the Brussels Sprouts

Friday, 04 February 2011

Great story!!!
Sanu,Rhebe, Aksain& Kasi makes this comment

The Parable of the Brussels Sprouts

Wednesday, 02 February 2011

I LOVED THIS STORY BECAUSE IT TAUGHT ME A LIFE LONG LESSON. That was a very inspiring story, and I really enjoyed reading it, with my family!
Julian West makes this comment

The Parable of the Brussels Sprouts

Monday, 31 January 2011

Hate brussels' sprouts. Love your sense of humour. Well done, Mitch: another great piece.
David Barbour makes this comment

The Parable of the Brussels Sprouts

Monday, 31 January 2011

"vegetarian war cry" -- I love it!
Zeina Gabriel makes this comment

The Parable of the Brussels Sprouts

Monday, 31 January 2011

Absolutely magnificent... I love your style.. The story is captivating and we feel like walking in the garden and visiting Mrs. White and spending some time in the island... Thank you :)
Laura MY makes this comment

The Parable of the Brussels Sprouts

Sunday, 30 January 2011

Thank you. That's a great writing of something so simple but yet so meaningful. I will be sharing it with all my friends............... :)
Steve Kowarsky makes this comment

The Parable of the Brussels Sprouts

Sunday, 30 January 2011

Wonderful, strikingly clear image. They were there all the time - you just didn't know how to find them! Exactly!