Brussels sprouts are one of those foods that can be divisive to say the least. For some this is the very definition of “having to eat your vegetables”. But, for many others this vegetable signals a lovely time of year coming into the holiday season, the end of the harvest season when this cruciferous veggie is finally ready to be prepared with a bevy of rich toppings. It’s one of the few veggies that’s considered even better if harvested after the first frost.

Unlike plain sprouts, these Hot Honey Brussels Sprouts have a lot going for them. You might even say they have a bit of an edge and this makes them more alluring than the rather bland preparations some of us may have grown up with. If you’re on the fence about sprouts this recipe could change all that for you.

The key ingredient in this recipe is some hot honey. This product has become trendy the past few years as it lends a very subtle heat to many a dish, without any extra effort. If you want to make your own hot honey instead of buying it you absolutely can. Add 3 tablespoons chili flakes to 1 cup honey and let come to a low boil in a saucepan for 15 minutes. Then strain and cool. You can also use dried bird’s eye chilis or even a fresh jalapeño diced up in the honey.

My local grocery stores all carry hot honey, but regions may differ on this so it’s useful to know how to make your own.

Then you need your fresh Brussels sprouts of course, and we also need some feta cheese. To offset to the hot and sweet flavors of the honey, the salty and tangy feta does the trick well. Combined with the green vegetal flavor of the sprouts you end up with a dynamic dish that has a little bit of every flavor in it- a far cry from the steamed Brussels sprouts seasoned with only salt and pepper we used to have!

These are pan-roasted then you add the feta just before serving. You can also add another generous drizzle of the hot honey before serving as well. I found that this dish benefitted from the extra heat, and never once became too spicy for me. And, in case you’re wondering about the sweetness it enhances the flavor of the sprouts in a really delightful way. So the extra honey was much appreciated in that regard as well.

You’ll want to serve these straight from the oven for the best flavor. These Hot Honey Brussels Sprouts are a true innovation when it comes to this staple fall-winter vegetable!