July 4, 1976

 Today I celebrate an anniversary.

Fifty years ago today, on July 4, 1976, I tasted Brussels sprouts for the first time. Although I was a teenager, those tiny edible fists of fiber weren’t something I had ever been presented with. Remember, this was before Brussels sprouts discovered bacon and balsamic vinegar.

But alas, July 4 that year was a Sunday, and I was in the hospital recovering from a nasty case of meningitis. Since it was both a Sunday and a significant holiday, I suppose the hospital dietitian wanted to provide a lunch that fit the occasion. A slice of ham and a mound of those tiny heads of cabbage were the final choice.

I ate the ham and tried the morsel.

That is the day, 50 years ago, that I discovered you can’t flush Brussels sprouts.

They float.

Happy 250th Birthday, America.