Oven-baked Brussels Sprouts

Oven-baked Brussels sprouts are a delicious and fairly simple dish to prepare. Here is the recipe with a small Italian twist.

Ingredients

• 500 g of Brussels sprouts
• 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
• 2 cloves of garlic
• Salt to taste
• Ground black pepper to taste
• (Optional) 50 g of pancetta or speck, cubed
• (Optional) grated Parmesan cheese

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 200 °C.
2. Clean the Brussels sprouts by removing the damaged outer leaves and cutting off the base. If they are particularly large, you can cut them in half.
3. In a large bowl, mix the Brussels sprouts with the extra virgin olive oil, chopped garlic, salt, and pepper.
4. (Optional) If you want to add an Italian touch, you can include pancetta or speck, which will give a smoky and salty flavor.
5. Arrange the seasoned sprouts and, if used, the cubes of pancetta or speck on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper in a single layer to ensure they cook evenly.
6. Bake the Brussels sprouts for about 20-25 minutes, or until they are golden and crispy. Halfway through, turn the sprouts to ensure even browning.
7. (Optional) A few minutes before the end of cooking, sprinkle the sprouts with some grated Parmesan and let them gratinate until they become golden and crispy.

Serve hot as a side dish. They are great with a cut of meat or fish, but also as a healthy snack.

Fun Facts

Although Brussels sprouts are not native to Italy, they have been well received in Italian cooking and are often prepared with the addition of typical ingredients such as pancetta, garlic, and Parmesan. Their slightly bitter taste combines well with the savory flavor of these seasonings.