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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 52...
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.
| GoodOnYa | Encinitas CA | 949-295-3145 |
| Claytons Bakery & Bistro | Coronado CA | 619-435-5425 |
| Holsem Coffee | San Diego CA | |
| La Costa Glen North | Carlsbad CA | 760-704-1436 |
| Shorehouse Kitchen | La Jolla CA | 858-459-3300 |
| Wheat & Water | La Jolla CA | 858-291-8690 |
| Hotel Republic San Diego | San Diego CA | 951-756-9357 |
| Common Stock | San Diego CA | 714-317-7072 |
| Ketch Grill and Taps | San Diego CA | 858-268-1030 |
| La Costa Resort & Spa Main Kitchen | Carlsbad CA | 760-930-7063 |
| The Tavern | Coronado CA | 602-628-5890 |
| Miho Gastrotruck | San Diego CA | 619-365-5655 |
| Healthy Creations-Encinitas | Encinitas CA | 760-479-0500 |
| Barbarella La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-454-7373 |
| Rancho Valencia | Del Mar CA | 858-756-1123 |
| Parkhouse Eatery | San Diego CA | 619-295-7275 |
| Shogun Sportfishing | San Diego CA | 619-226-8030 |
| Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens | Escondido CA | 760-294-7866 |
| Toast Cafe | San Diego CA | 858-208-9422 |
| Local Tap House & Kitchen | Oceanside CA | 760-547-1469 |
| Fish 101 | Encinitas CA | 760-943-6221 |
| Pacific Coast Grill | Solana Beach CA | 858-794-4632 |
| La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club | San Diego CA | 858-454-7126 |
| UCSD Food & Nutrition Department Hillcrest | San Diego CA | 619-380-9840 |
| The Shores | La Jolla CA | 858-459-8271 |
| Glenbrook Health Center | Carlsbad CA | 760-704-1000 |
| Brockton Villa Restaurant | San Diego CA | 858-454-7393 |
| Bekker's Catering | San Diego CA | 619-287-9027 |
| Beaumont's | San Diego CA | 858-459-0474 |
| Tom Hams Light House | San Diego CA | 619-291-9110 |
| Wonderland Ocean Pub | San Diego CA | 619-255-3358 |
| Ki's Kitchen Commissary | VISTA CA | 760-777-0700 |
| Farmers Bottega | San Diego CA | 619-306-8963 |
| Cocina De Barrio | San Diego CA | 760-840-1129 |
| Cape Rey Carlsbad, a Hilton Resort | Carlsbad CA | 760-602-0800 |
| The Local-Pacific Beach | San Diego CA | 858-263-7475 |
| Crust Pizzeria Carlsbad 2019 | Carlsbad CA | 760-944-1111 |
| Fish 101 Cardiff | Cardiff CA | 619-753-7139 |
| Juniper & Ivy | San Diego CA | 858-481-3666 |
| Nate's Garden Grill | San Diego CA | 619-607-0117 |
| La Costa Glen South | Carlsbad CA | 760-704-1000 |
| Orens Fine Foods | San Diego CA | 510-910-2298 |
| Tender Greens-Broadway | San Diego CA | 619-807-1394 |
| Hott Mess | San Diego CA | 619-297-1866 |
| Bernini's Bistro | La Jolla CA | 858-454-5013 |
| UCSD Food & Nutrition Department La Jolla | San Diego CA | 808-868-8639 |
| Pendry SD (Pool House) | San Diego CA | 619-738-7000 |
| HiroNori Ramen | San Diego CA | 619-446-9876 |
| Black Raill Kitchen + Bar | Carlsbad CA | 619-454-9182 |
| Chateau Lake San Marcos | San Marcos CA | 760-670-5807 |
| WaterBar | San Diego CA | 619-308-6500 |
| Reata Glen | Ladera Ranch CA | 949-545-2250 |
| Pitchers | San Diego CA | 858-472-1251 |
| Soulshine | San Diego CA | 858-886-7252 |
| Olivewood Gardens and Learning Center | National City CA | 619-434-4281 |
| Donna Jean | San Diego CA | |
| Public House 131 | San Diego CA | 858-537-0890 |
| The Wild Thyme Company | San Diego CA | 858-527-0226 |
| Larsen's Steakhouse - La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-886-7561 |
| Shorehouse Kitchen Carlsbad | Carlsbad CA | 858-663-9916 |
| Backyard Kitchen & Tap | San Diego CA | 619-308-6500 |
| The Privateer Coal Fire Pizza | Oceanside CA | 760-310-1535 |
| Morgan Run Resort and Club | Rancho Sante Fe CA | 858-756-2471 |
| Himitsu | La Jolla CA | 858-345-0220 |
| Gaslamp Union Kitchen & Tap | San Diego CA | 619-795-9463 |
| Union Kitchen & Tap (Encinitas) | Encinitas CA | 760-230-2337 |
| Beach Plum Kitchen | Carlsbad CA | 760-688-8682 |
| Farmer and The Seahorse 2020 | San Diego CA | 619-302-3682 |
| Stone Brewing-Liberty Station | San Diego CA | 619-269-2100 |
| University Club | San Diego CA | 619-234-5200 |
| Pacifica Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-792-0505 |
| Harley Gray Kitchen and Bar | San Diego CA | 619-840-7000 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Baby Kale. One
is
easiest, three is harder.
