What is kale?
Kale is a dark leafy green vegetable home to the brassica family. Other vegetables in the brassica family are cabbage, broccoli, brussels sprouts, and cauliflower to name a few. There are multiple varieties of kale commonly found in the grocery store such as Curly Leaf kale, Lacinato (dino) kale, and sometimes Red Russian kale. All varieties are very similar and can be used interchangeably.
What do they taste like?
Kale is a thicker leafy green that is often described as earthy or peppery. Kale can be eaten raw or cooked in a variety of ways such as salads, soups, or sauteed. When cooked, kale becomes tender, the bitter flavors are tamed and lends a great textural component to a lot of dishes.
What to look for when buying?
When choosing kale at the store, look for bunches that are vibrant and crisp. The leaves should be sturdy and range in color anywhere from dark green to purple depending on the variety. Avoid kale with wilted leaves or discolored leaves especially if yellow or slimy. If you have kale leaves in the fridge that are wilted, they are best suited for sautés or soups and are totally fine to eat, I would just avoid buying kale that is already wilted.
What is the best season?
Kale is a cold-hardy leafy green that loves cooler temperatures so its peak season in the United States is typically fall and winter, but it is not uncommon to have locally available kale into early spring. Kale is widely found in grocery stores year round as well without drastic changes to taste or texture.
How to best store at home?
There are a variety of methods to store kale at home to prevent the leafy green from going bad.
Option 1: if purchased in a bunch you can simple cut about an inch off the stems and store in a cup of water in the fridge like a flower bouquet. The pros of this method are its easy to store and does not take much effort, however, this can take up a lot of space in the fridge and you have to prep it before using it.
Option 2: rinse thoroughly remove tough stems (optional) and cut into desired size, store in a container with paper towels on the bottom and top of the chopped kale to absorb excess moisture. The pros of this method are its already prepped and ready to be used in your next meal and it does not take up a lot of space in the fridge. This is my preferred method as its already prepped and ready to be used.
If you store kale in the fridge as is from the store, it will be prone to wilting much faster.
Nutritional Benefits
Kale has become more popular over the years especially during the surge of “Super Foods” and for a good reason. Similar to most dark leafy greens, kale contains a lot of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. It is a good source of vitamin K, C, A, manganese as well as many other nutrients and fiber. Overall, kale is a great vegetable to include in your diet that contains numerous vitamins and minerals. EAT. More. Kale.
