I got some terrible Brussels sprouts at the farmer's market, too, this week. Must have been a bad year for aphids. I just picked through and cut out all the bad spots I could and soaked them for a little while in water with white vinegar in it - then in clean water. Not sure what you're seeing. Different stages of aphids and maybe some cabbage worm damage? I doubt it's anything harmful, just unappetizing.

We eat a lot of brussel sprouts and I don't freak out at the black spots, especially when I'm cooking them. I just peel off outer leaves and that usually solves the problem.

I have never seen anything like gel or slimy from either the store or farmers market.

I can't say whether or not it's just yucky or will ruin the dish.

Looks like eggs. Just soak in salt water, then rinse well and ...somewhat vigorously, meaning strong water spray and/or swish well. Should be fine.

A good soak will do...vinegar and salt. Sometimes i'll change up the planned dish and saute just broken off leaves so i get the 'stuff' off with a good soak. I've only grown them successfully a few times over the past 20 yrs. A shame that market grown and organic can have some stuff with them...but the flavor will win out for the most part. (not always).

My celery is over in the garden except for some tops in the deck pots...but organic i bought at the market is so much better than regular. It was a bit funk and had some splits and a ton of soil and needed triple rinsing but the flavor was superior by miles.

Celery from the market/farm is a revelation compared to the hearts you get in stores.

The leaves are so flavorful and abundant, and make a terrific soup (which I made about 6 quarts of recently).

The brussel sprouts at my market have been looking very good.

It looks kind of like a polymer that can be put in the soil to absorb water, and slowly release it. The polymer cuts down on the need for watering. I doubt that's what it is, though, as it would be in the soil, not in the leaves.

At least you can see it and wash it off. It's the stuff you can't see that worries me.

Sally

I agree with Sally that it sure looks like those water absorbing crystals. Same stuff that is used in disposable diapers and the pads lurking underneath supermarket cuts of meat to absorb meat juices--(all that saline solution that is pumped into 'fresh' meat.)

I would pick some of it off and set aside to dry. If it's the crystals, they will shrink up to a fraction of the current size. Then you can see if they will rehydrate and get spongy/ slimy again.

It's possible that the grower broadcast the crystals during the growing season.

It does look like those crystals and thought that myself but unlikely for a market gardener i would think. Not cheap even in a bulk buy. Certainly not for brussels and their growing habit. Useful in smaller pots and specific plant needs. (sparingly added to the soil before planting or re-potting.

Curious what those over in the gardening section might have to say?

When I saw this photo I immediately thought of the time when we planted squash and it looked like it was a good time to pick some for dinner. I took it in the house and noticed this exact type of substance on the outside of the squash and when I examined the squash more closely, I noticed that this stuff was right next to some tiny holes in the squash. When I cut it open, there were live larvae inside and I assume that this stuff was frass. (bug poo.) I might be wrong but it sure looks like it.

rita, I was thinking the same thing, it looks like bug eggs or bug excrement. I'd soak the sprouts to make sure the stuff comes off and then I'd eat them. But then, I'm a farm girl, and things like bugs and their "stuff" don't even cause me to hesitate, usually.

Annie

Caterpillar frass is what leapt to my mind as well. You can just wash that stuff off, it's gross but harmless. I spy a tiny aphid as well in the 2nd pic.

It may've been something used in packing, but either way, I'm fairly certain it will just wash off.

I love brussels sprouts so much & can't grow them (so far) & the organic ones are sooo expensive here - it really kills me when they're blemished like that. I'll cut them in half vertically & wash well to make sure I'm getting to the interior leaves.

Thanks for all the great input everyone!

UPDATE:

I did the normal cutting the bottom stems off and peeling the obvious outer layers. Then, I cut the sprouts in half and soaked them in very briny water for over 90 minutes, agitating once in a while.

They are still the same. Some aphids were floating in the water, but the gel stuff is still stuck as strong as ever, even after a good cold water rinse. I pulled some gel off and rubbed it between my fingers, and it doesn't smoosh - it's pretty solid stuff. It seems to me, but I don't know, that if it is bug frass, it wouldn't be so solid.

Since the stuff lasted all this cleaning, we're more concerned about consuming it.

Any further thoughts?

Thanks!

Well, it doesn't sound very appetising! I'd put them in the compost. Their sprouts, after all.

I think that if you're concerned about eating them, don't eat them, as you won't enjoy them. Doesn't matter if the stuff is harmful or not.

Is this farmer's market close to you? Could you show the picture to the person you bought them from during the next market and ask them what it is?

Sally

I agree, they're just sprouts. If it really concerns you, I'd compost them or take them back to the place you got them as it isn't appetizing, no matter what it is.

Annie