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Ramps
The wild ramp, AKA wild leek, botanical name Allium tricoccum, is a flowering perennial plant that grows in clusters. It is a member of the Allium family along with onions and leeks
Calamondin Limes
The Calamondin lime is a cross between a sour, loose skinned mandarin and a kumquat, therefore technically making it an orangequat.
Salanova® Lettuces
Salanova® lettuce is a full-sized variety developed for the baby lettuce market. Botanically these varieties are scientifically known as Lactuca sativa.
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Baby kale is simply the term for the delicate leaves of a young, immature kale plant. Almost any kale variety can be harvested at this young stage when the leaves are more mild and tender, though still hardier than most lettuce varieties. Both the petite stems and leaves of Baby kale are edible, with a chewy yet succulent texture and a slightly peppery flavor, similar to arugula.
Baby kale is available year-round.
Baby kale is a member of the Mustard or Cabbage family, and is a variety of Brassica oleracea known as acephala, meaning “without a head”. Still relatively new so the commercial market, Baby kale is starting to show up more often in fresh salad mixes with other greens, such as baby chard, arugula, spinach, and red or green lettuce.
Baby kale is known to be a nutritional powerhouse and is rich in calcium and iron as well as vitamins A, C and K1. In order to be absorbed in the body vitamin K1 requires fats so be sure to prepare baby kale with a healthy oil or avocado to take full advantage of the nutritional properties. Additionally, Baby kale can help lower cholesterol levels in the body by biding bile acids. Cruciferous vegetables such as baby kale also contain oxalates which are known to interfere with absorption of potassium and calcium, however oxalates are not heat-stable, longer cooking times can decrease their presence.
Baby kale is most often used raw, as its leaves are tender enough to be enjoyed fresh, yet its texture is still sturdy enough to stand up well in cooking. Baby kale can add an earthy flavor to raw salad green mixes, or it can be juiced, wilted, fried, dehydrated, or sautéed. Try topping a flatbread or pizza with Baby kale, or incorporate it into braising greens to add a nutty yet sweet flavor. Baby kale can even be used in lieu of spinach in baked preparations like quiche, lasagna, and enchiladas. Complimentary ingredients include garlic, ginger, fennel, sage, onion, apple, balsamic vinegar, maple syrup, robust cheeses, pork, chicken, and white beans. To store Baby kale, wrap the leaves in a loose bundle with a paper towel or a thin cotton kitchen towel, place them in a large, sealable bag, and refrigerate in the crisper drawer for up to a week.
In some Northwestern German towns, it is customary to hold a kale tour each January, where you visit a country inn and eat your fair share of kale and sausage, and even crown a local celebrity as "kale king".
Kale is one of the oldest forms of cabbage. It is native to the eastern Mediterranean or Asia Minor, and it has been in cultivation for over 2000 years. Baby kale thrives in the fall and spring months, but can be grown year-round. Like mature kale plants, Baby kale can handle cold temperatures, and a good fall frost or cool winter will impart a higher sugar content and result in a better flavor in the plant.
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
the other 61...
Recipes that include Baby Kale. One
is
easiest, three is harder.
| Food Buzz: History of Kale | Listen |
Description/Taste
Baby kale is simply the term for the delicate leaves of a young, immature kale plant. Almost any kale variety can be harvested at this young stage when the leaves are more mild and tender, though still hardier than most lettuce varieties. Both the petite stems and leaves of Baby kale are edible, with a chewy yet succulent texture and a slightly peppery flavor, similar to arugula.
Seasons/Availability
Baby kale is available year-round.
Current Facts
Baby kale is a member of the Mustard or Cabbage family, and is a variety of Brassica oleracea known as acephala, meaning “without a head”. Still relatively new so the commercial market, Baby kale is starting to show up more often in fresh salad mixes with other greens, such as baby chard, arugula, spinach, and red or green lettuce.
Nutritional Value
Baby kale is known to be a nutritional powerhouse and is rich in calcium and iron as well as vitamins A, C and K1. In order to be absorbed in the body vitamin K1 requires fats so be sure to prepare baby kale with a healthy oil or avocado to take full advantage of the nutritional properties. Additionally, Baby kale can help lower cholesterol levels in the body by biding bile acids. Cruciferous vegetables such as baby kale also contain oxalates which are known to interfere with absorption of potassium and calcium, however oxalates are not heat-stable, longer cooking times can decrease their presence.
Applications
Baby kale is most often used raw, as its leaves are tender enough to be enjoyed fresh, yet its texture is still sturdy enough to stand up well in cooking. Baby kale can add an earthy flavor to raw salad green mixes, or it can be juiced, wilted, fried, dehydrated, or sautéed. Try topping a flatbread or pizza with Baby kale, or incorporate it into braising greens to add a nutty yet sweet flavor. Baby kale can even be used in lieu of spinach in baked preparations like quiche, lasagna, and enchiladas. Complimentary ingredients include garlic, ginger, fennel, sage, onion, apple, balsamic vinegar, maple syrup, robust cheeses, pork, chicken, and white beans. To store Baby kale, wrap the leaves in a loose bundle with a paper towel or a thin cotton kitchen towel, place them in a large, sealable bag, and refrigerate in the crisper drawer for up to a week.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
In some Northwestern German towns, it is customary to hold a kale tour each January, where you visit a country inn and eat your fair share of kale and sausage, and even crown a local celebrity as "kale king".
Geography/History
Kale is one of the oldest forms of cabbage. It is native to the eastern Mediterranean or Asia Minor, and it has been in cultivation for over 2000 years. Baby kale thrives in the fall and spring months, but can be grown year-round. Like mature kale plants, Baby kale can handle cold temperatures, and a good fall frost or cool winter will impart a higher sugar content and result in a better flavor in the plant.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
| Seven Mile Casino | Chula Vista CA | |
| Glenbrook Health Center | Carlsbad CA | 760-704-1000 |
| Reata Glen | Mission Viejo CA | 949-545-2250 |
| The Local-Pacific Beach | San Diego CA | 858-263-7475 |
| GoodOnYa | Encinitas CA | 858-344-1605 |
| The Shores | La Jolla CA | 858-459-8271 |
| Tom Hams Light House | San Diego CA | 619-291-9110 |
| Pacific Regent La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-597-8008 |
| Black Raill Kitchen + Bar | Carlsbad CA | 619-454-9182 |
| The Meal Prep Co | San Diego CA | 619-415-0106 |
| Food Made Fresh | Carlsbad CA | 805-341-0149 |
| Stone Brewing-Liberty Station Banquets | San Diego CA | 619-269-2100 |
| Shorehouse Kitchen Carlsbad | Carlsbad CA | 858-663-9916 |
| Buona Forchetta (Liberty Station) | San Diego CA | 619-458-9231 |
| Wheat & Water | La Jolla CA | 858-291-8690 |
| Common Theory | San Diego CA | 858-707-7016 |
| La Costa Resort & Spa Vue | Carlsbad CA | 760-930-7063 |
| Boardwalk Beach Club | Coronado CA | 619-522-6890 |
| Healthy Creations-Encinitas | Encinitas CA | 760-479-0500 |
| Luce | San Diego CA | 619-275-2094 |
| Local Tap House & Kitchen | Oceanside CA | 760-547-1469 |
| Ballast Point Restaurant - Little Italy | San Diego CA | 619-298-2337 |
| Pacific Coast Grill | Solana Beach CA | 858-794-4632 |
| Shorehouse Kitchen | La Jolla CA | 858-459-3300 |
| Sheraton Carlsbad (20/20) | Carlsbad CA | 760-827-2400 |
| Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-759-6063 |
| Ki's Kitchen Commissary | VISTA CA | 760-438-8606 |
| Hotel Palomar-Salt Box | San Diego CA | 619-515-3003 |
| Gaslamp Union Kitchen & Tap | San Diego CA | 619-795-9463 |
| Parq Restaurant and Nightclub | San Diego CA | 619-727-6789 |
| University Club | San Diego CA | 619-234-5200 |
| La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club | San Diego CA | 858-454-7126 |
| Hilton Garden Inn | San Diego CA | 858-720-9500 |
| Barbusa | San Diego CA | 619-297-6333 |
| Jake's Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-755-2002 |
| The Joint | San Diego CA | 619-222-8272 |
| The Glen at Scripps Ranch | San Diego CA | 858-444-8500 |
| The Farm Golf Club | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-756-5585 |
| Wine Vault & Bistro | San Diego CA | 619-295-3939 |
| Fish 101 Cardiff | Cardiff CA | 760-230-1021 |
| Himitsu | La Jolla CA | 858-345-0220 |
| UCSD Food & Nutrition Department La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-657-6473 |
| Zel's Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-755-0076 |
| Ketch Grill and Taps | San Diego CA | 858-268-1030 |
| Sheraton Carlsbad (Banquets) | Carlsbad CA | 760-827-2400 |
| Harley Gray Kitchen and Bar | San Diego CA | 619-840-7000 |
| Rustic Root | San Diego CA | 619-232-1747 |
| The Crack Shack LA | Los Angeles CA | 619-520-4793 |
| Lafayette Hotel | San Diego CA | 619-296-2101 |
| HiroNori Ramen | San Diego CA | 619-241-2856 |
| Pitchers | San Diego CA | 858-484-3777 |
| La Jolla Country Club | San Diego CA | 858-454-9601 |
| Ciccia Osteria | San Diego CA | 619-674-4069 |
| Bekker's Catering | San Diego CA | 619-287-9027 |
| Beach Plum Kitchen | Carlsbad CA | 760-931-1362 |
| The Patio on Lamont | San Diego CA | 619-235-5606 |
| Civico 1845 | San Diego CA | 619-300-4810 |
| Galaxy Taco | La Jolla CA | 858-228-5655 |
| Seasalt | Del Mar CA | 858-755-7100 |
| Pacifica Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-792-0505 |
| KI's | Encinitas CA | 760-436-5236 |
| UCSD Food & Nutrition Department Hillcrest | San Diego CA | 619-543-2764 |
| Bagby Beer Company | Oceanside CA | 760-505-3445 |
| Mary Frese | Coronado CA | 619-435-5425 |
| Tin Leaf Fresh Kitchen | Carlsbad CA | 619-236-1299 |
| Catamaran | San Diego CA | 858-488-1081 |
| Union Kitchen & Tap (Encinitas) | Encinitas CA | 760-230-2337 |
| Sheraton La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-453-5500 |
| La Costa Resort & Spa Main Kitchen | Carlsbad CA | 760-930-7063 |
| Del Mar Country Club | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-759-5500 x207 |
| Vista Valley | Vista CA | 760-758-2800 |
| Cucina Enoteca | Del Mar CA | 619-239-2222 |
| Fish 101 | Encinitas CA | 760-943-6221 |
| Encontro North Park | San Diego CA | 619-291-1220 |
| Sbicca | Del Mar CA | 858-481-1001 |
| True North Tavern Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-291-3815 |
| Park Commons Sorrento Valley | San Diego CA | 858-551-5105 |
| The Shout House | San Diego CA | 619-231-6700 |
| Farmers Bottega | San Diego CA | 619-458-9929 |
| Firefly Beach | San Diego CA | 619-222-6440 |
| Flap Your Jacks | San Diego CA | 858-224-7442 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Baby Kale. One
is
easiest, three is harder.
