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Black Italian Cabbage

Inventory, 12 ct : 26.10
This item was last sold on : 10/19/20

• 40 Featured Restaurants

• 14 Recipe Ideas

Description/Taste

Black Italian cabbage has a thick central stalk and produces long, fat, spear-like leaves that have wrinkled, bubbled surfaces. The dark blue-green leaves will grow up to 46 centimeters long and 11 centimeters at their widest. Young leaves are harvested between 15 and 20 centimeters, when the stalks are still tender. As the leaves mature, they thicken, and stalks become tough. Black Italian cabbage offers a subtle peppery flavor with a tangy bite and sweet aftertaste.

Seasons/Availability

Black Italian cabbage is available year-round with a peak season in the winter months.

Current Facts

Black Italian cabbage, better known as Tuscan or Dinosaur kale, is an Italian variety botanically known as Brassica oleracea var. acephala. It is referred to as Lacinato kale as well as Cavolo Nero, the Italian name which literally translates to “Black cabbage.” The heirloom variety is found in the Tuscan region of Italy and is popular in restaurants in the United Kingdom and the United States.

Nutritional Value

Black Italian cabbage is an excellent source of vitamins K, A, C and B2, manganese and calcium. It’s a great source of iron, folates and dietary fiber. Kale is also a good source of phosphorus, magnesium, copper, B-complex vitamins, zinc and selenium. Black cabbage also contains the phytonutrients quercetin and kaempferol, and flavonoids like lutein, zeaxanthin, and beta carotene which provide beneficial antioxidant properties.

Applications

Black Italian cabbage, or Tuscan kale, is an essential ingredient in the regional dish ribollita, or reboiled winter vegetable stew. It is also used in minestrone. Young, tender leaves are used raw in green or grain salads. They can be used as wrappers for cheese, shrimp or prawn, and risotto. Older leaves may need to have the ribs or central stalk removed due to toughness, otherwise they require longer cooking time. The thick leaves can be sliced or chopped and used as a substitute for romaine in Cesar salad, braised, tossed into pasta dishes, soups, stews, egg dishes or simply sautéed with oil and garlic. It pairs well with beans and pork. Store Black Italian cabbage in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Wrapping the bottoms of the stems in a wet cloth will keep them from drying out.

Ethnic/Cultural Info

Brassica oleracea is classified by its many forms and is further diversified into leaves (kale), heads (common or Savoy cabbage), gems (Brussels sprouts), hypertrophied flowers (broccoli and cauliflower), and roots (turnips). Kale, which is part of the acephala group, has two other types in addition to the Black Italian, or Tuscan kale: curly (also known as Scots) and Russian, with fringed, flat, serrated leaves.

Geography/History

Italian cabbage is an international hybrid and a prized Tuscan specialty referred to as "cavolo nero" or black cabbage in English. Abundantly available in Tuscany, black cabbage supplies are very limited in other parts of the world. Italian cuisine especially favors this cabbage in the cold-weather cooking season. A member of the Crucifer or mustard family, cabbage is a prehistoric Mediterranean wild plant. Classified by its many forms, cabbage is diversified into leaves (kale), heads (common or Savoy cabbage), gems (Brussels sprouts), hypertrophied flowers (broccoli and cauliflower), or into roots (turnips).

Featured Restaurants

Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.

Fishery	San Diego CA	858-272-9985
Pacifica Del Mar	Del Mar CA	858-792-0505
Rubicon Deli India Street	San Diego CA	619-200-4201
One Door North	San Diego CA	858-232-4220
SIE Culinary Management	San Diego CA	858-964-8677
Avant	San Diego CA	858-675-8505
Craft and Commerce (Sekscobra Inc.)	San Diego CA	619-962-5935
Victoria Mahdion	San Diego CA	619-987-3304
Fish Market Downtown	San Diego CA	619-232-3474
Cucina Sorella	San Diego CA	619-281-4014
The Loma Club	San Diego CA	619-222-4653
Nolita Hall	San Diego CA	619-618-8820
Juniper & Ivy	San Diego CA	858-481-3666
Lodge at Torrey Pines Main	San Diego CA	858-453-4420
Mangia Mangia (Mirarmar)	San Diego CA	858-736-5733
The Compass	Carlsbad CA	760-434-1900
InterContinental Vistal Kitchen	San Diego CA	619-501-9400
Oscars Brewing Company	Temecula CA	619-695-2422
Vista Valley	Vista CA	760-758-2800
Trident Coffee	San Diego CA	619-246-9316

the other 20...

Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe	Rancho Santa Fe CA	858-759-6063
Pali Wine Company	San Diego CA	310-893-0038
Del Mar Country Club	Rancho Santa Fe CA	858-759-5500 x207
Herb & Sea	Encinitas CA	858-587-6601
Pandemic Pizza	San Diego CA	314-397-4234
San Diego Freedom Ranch	Campo CA	619-478-5696
Continental Catering Inc	La Mesa CA	619-698-3500
True Food-Fashion Valley	San Diego CA	619-810-2929
Grandave Productions LLC	San Diego CA	619-840-6305
C 2 C	San Diego CA	619-972-9345
Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District	El Cajon CA	619-644-7585
Chateau La Jolla	San Diego CA	858-459-4451
La Costa Glen North	Carlsbad CA	760-704-1436
The Farm Golf Club	Rancho Santa Fe CA	858-756-5585
Donna Jean	San Diego CA	619-392-0052
Estancia Adobe	San Diego CA	858-550-1000
Ocean Beach Surf Lodge	San Diego CA	619-308-6500
Larsen's Steakhouse - La Jolla	San Diego CA	310-407-9937
Blue Ocean	Carlsbad CA	760-434-4959
Campfire	Carlsbad CA	858-231-0862

Recipe Ideas

Recipes that include Black Italian Cabbage. One

is easiest, three is harder.

Healthy Seasonal Recipes		Kale Salad with Roasted Delicata Squash, Chevre, Dried Cranberries & Spiced Pecans
The First Mess		Cauliflower, Kale + Chickpea Curry Pot
Confessions of a Foodie		Kale Chips
Budget Bytes		Sesame Kale
The Organic Dietitian		Kale and Butternut Squash Breakfast Bowl
Feasting at Home		Roasted Cauliflower Kale & Farro Salad with Turmeric Dressing
Salt and Pepper Skillet		Kale-Farro Risotto & Parmesan Crisps
101 Cookbooks		Ribollita
Half Baked Harvest		Simple Grilled Kale + Red Pepper Tuscan Pasta Salad
Marin Mama Cooks		Lacinato Kale Salad

the other 4...

Everyday Maven		Creamy Sausage and Kale Soup
Brooklyn Homemaker		Creamed Kale Gratin
Feasting at Home		Tuscan White Bean Soup
Hortus		Baked Whole-Leaf Kale Chips with Spiced Salt