Trader Joe's Brussels Sprouts and Caramelized Onion Ravioli

There are a handful of foods the are absolutely polarizing to discuss: cilantro, truffle, and yes Brussels Sprouts (I know there are far more than just those). But only one of those has food memories often associated with childhood. Either you have grown to like it, or you remember sitting at the dinner table with those terrible mini cabbages which you knew by smell alone were vile.

Taste and review

I remember smelling them as a kid and knowing they weren't for me. It wasn't until fairly recently that I was willing to give brussels sprouts a go.

A girl's night out, turned into a sit at the bar kind of night. So after a few drinks, I thought nothing of trying my nemesis of childhood.

Yes, the liquid courage worked that night and I embraced what seemed to be the world's strangest appetizer: fried brussels sprouts with rice crispies, parmesan cheese, and chili honey.

It was delicious. It was strange-looking. I couldn't stop eating it. I've been trying to replicate at home it ever since. The amount of contrast in that dish was phenomenal which is why it worked.

And yes, like the appetizer that reintroduced me to this veggie, this pasta is about contrast as well. It's cheesy, creamy, slightly bitter and kinda sweet all placed in a tender yet pretty pasta package.

In this clear box is an artsy-looking ravioli. It is two-tone, but that green hue will fade a bit with cooking.

But if you can embrace the Brussels sprout's bitterness, then you are in for a treat here.

The directions are typical for fresh pasta and there were no surprises. In the three boxes, I've purchased, I've only had one ravioli not stay sealed.

After these are cooked, you are rewarded with a sweet and bitter contrast of this cheesy filling. The sweetness comes from the caramelized onions. It's not as pronounced as the sprouts, but it acts as a contrast in terms of flavor.

Now, that is going to lead to a common question: What type of sauce should I pair with this?

With a filling that is the star here, I've opted for just olive oil or butter. It wasn't something (unlike childhood experiences with brussels sprouts) that I wanted to cover up.

Overall

For $3.99 these are inexpensive and worth a try. Two servings seem about right.

If you find yourself liking brussels sprouts, then here is something worth a try. If you are grown and you still hate them, please skip this product. This was a hit in our household. These do freeze well if you need to store them longer or realize you like them. They are seasonal, so they won't be on shelves forever either.