Growing alfalfa sprouts at home is easy and economical

June 16, 5:31 PMProvidence Green Living ExaminerErin Goodman

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Even if you don’t have time to manage a large vegetable garden, you can still grow healthy foods at home. Alfalfa sprouts are nutritious, economical and easy to grow right on your kitchen counter.

Materials needed:

Alfalfa seeds
Glass jar
Mesh cover (cheesecloth or nylon secured with a rubber band also works)

Directions:

1. Place about a tablespoon of alfalfa seeds into a glass jar.
2. Cover the seeds with water and let them soak for 6-8 hours or overnight.
3. With the mesh cover or cheesecloth secured in place, drain the soaking water.
4. Rinse sprouts 2-3 times per day for 3-5 days, or until the sprouts are 1-2 inches long. Be sure to thoroughly drain the water. You want the seeds to remain moist, but not sit in water.*
5. Expose your alfalfa sprouts to sunlight for 15 minutes or more to activate enzymes and increase nutritional benefits.
6. Give the sprouts a final rinse and store them in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to a week.

* If at any time your sprouts smell sour or rotten, toss them in the compost and start again!

Recipe ideas:

Enjoy your home-grown alfalfa sprouts on salads, sandwiches, in pita pockets, with nut butter on crackers or rice cakes, or whatever other creative combinations you invent!

You can find sprouting supplies locally at:

Back to Basics Natural Food Grocery
500 Main Street
East Greenwich

The Alternative Food Co-op
357 Main Street
Wakefield

For more information see:

Fresh Food from Small Spaces: The Square-Inch Gardener's Guide to Year-Round Growing, Fermenting, and Sprouting  

Sprout Garden