Spring is sprouting!

You can just feel it in the air, can’t you?  Spring has finally arrived!

Us winter-weary folk are always so excited by the signs that mark the turning of the seasons.  The snow is finally gone.  Mud is everywhere (especially if you share your home with an 83 lb dog!),  And the unmistakable smell of spring greets you when you step outside!  It’s that earthy, wet smell that tells you that the ground is waking up after a long hibernation under its frozen, white winter coat.

For me, the most exciting part about spring is looking for those first green shoots poking up from the ground.  I’ve never been all that diligent about planting bulbs in the fall, so I have to be content looking at all the gardens in my neighbourhood as the crocuses start to peek up through the earth.  What I can get excited about, however, is the thought that it will be time to get my vegetable garden going before long.  I had such fun last summer, and I enjoyed a real assortment of truly “local” veggies from my own backyard.

Channeling my enthusiasm, I’ve had to accept that it is still a bit early for vegetable planting outside.  (In fact, I hate to say it, but the weatherman is predicting snow for tomorrow!).  Never mind, I did some local, indoor gardening the other day.  It was so easy, and we were able to enjoy the fresh and tasty results in only 3 days!

I’m sure you’ve bought sprouts at some time, haven’t you?  Those crunchy little nuggets are great sources of protein, fibre, and lots of vitamins and minerals.  We eat them by the handful  as snack food in my house.  They’re also great tossed into a salad, sandwich, soup, stir-fry. . . pretty much any way at all.  And they really do taste like spring!

All you need is some kind of dried seeds.  You don’t need to buy special “sprouting” seeds – you’d be amazed at what you can sprout!  I used some green lentils I had in the cupboard.  Try mung beans, chick peas, alfalfa seeds, quinoa, or whatever you can think of.  This is a great activity to do with your kids.  They will be so excited to see the sprouts sprout, and they can crunch away on the finished product!

Here’s all you do:

1. Get a wide mouthed jar  (I used a 1 litre mason jar) and put in some seeds.  For larger seeds like beans or lentils, use about 1/4 to 1/3 of a cup.  For smaller seeds like alfalfa, use a tablespoon or two.

2. Cover the seeds with water, until the jar is 2/3 full, and leave to soak overnight.

3. In the morning, drain the water and rinse the seeds with fresh water.  You can just pour through a strainer if you are using beans, or cover the jar opening with mesh or cheesecloth secured with a rubber band for an easier arrangement.

4. Make sure to drain all the water, and even leave the jar (if the opening is covered with mesh) on an angle in a bowl to let the remaining water drain out.  Leave the jar on its side so air can circulate.

5. A few times a day, whenever you think of it, pour fresh water into the jar and rinse the seeds, then completely drain again, to let air in.

6. In about 2 days, you should see the seeds start to sprout!  They will start as little white “tails” which will get longer right before your eyes, over the course of the day.

7. Most seeds are ready to eat in about 3 days.  Just give them a final rinse, drain and put in a container in the fridge.

Happy, healthy spring!!