Featured...
Baby Kale
Inventory, 2 lb : 58.00
This item was last sold on : 10/01/22
Podcast
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, deydrated, 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 78...
Recipes that include Baby Kale. One
is easiest, three is harder.
| Food Buzz: History of Kale |
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, deydrated, 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.
| Jake's Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-755-2002 |
| Catamaran | San Diego CA | 858-488-1081 |
| Cocina De Barrio | San Diego CA | 760-840-1129 |
| Fish 101 | Encinitas CA | 760-943-6221 |
| US Grant Hotel Main | San Diego CA | 619-232-3121 |
| Armonia LLC | San Diego CA | 619-724-7210 |
| Zel's Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-755-0076 |
| La Costa Resort & Spa Main Kitchen | Carlsbad CA | 760-930-7063 |
| Marriott Courtyard Old Town | San Diego CA | 619-260-8500 |
| InterContinental Banquet Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-501-9400 |
| Stone Brewing-Liberty Station | San Diego CA | 619-269-2100 |
| Healthy Creations-Encinitas | Encinitas CA | 760-479-0500 |
| Wine Vault & Bistro | San Diego CA | 619-295-3939 |
| Nate's Garden Grill | San Diego CA | 619-607-0117 |
| Il Sogno Italiano | San Diego CA | 619-380-2652 |
| Nectarine Grove Bakehouse | Del Mar CA | 858-925-7357 |
| Sheraton Carlsbad (Banquets) | Carlsbad CA | 760-827-2400 |
| University Club | San Diego CA | 619-234-5200 |
| The Switchboard Restaurant and Bar | Oceanside CA | 442-266-2781 |
| Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens | Escondido CA | 915-861-2297 |
| Born & Raised | San Diego CA | 619-944-1631 |
| Boss Bird Kitchen | La Mesa CA | 858-566-9191 |
| Pizza Cassette | San Diego CA | 802-310-5601 |
| The Loma Club | San Diego CA | 619-222-4653 |
| Cocina de Barrio Point Loma | San Diego CA | 858-349-2313 |
| La Costa Glen South | Carlsbad CA | 760-704-1000 |
| Del Mar Country Club | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-759-5500 x207 |
| Sbicca | Del Mar CA | 858-481-1001 |
| Rustic Root | San Diego CA | 619-232-1747 |
| Marriott Courtyard Mission Valley | San Diego CA | 619-291-5270 |
| Park Commons - ARE | San Diego CA | 619-295-3172 |
| The Monsaraz | San Diego CA | 858-760-6228 |
| Georges at the Cove | San Diego CA | 858-454-4244 |
| Don Pietro | San Diego CA | 619-255-7205 |
| Dolce Pane & Vino | Del Mar CA | 858-832-1518 |
| Lodge at Torrey Pines Main | San Diego CA | 858-453-4420 |
| Saint Mark Golf and Resort, LLC | San Marcos CA | 508-320-6644 |
| Crudo Cevicheria & Oyster Bar | San Diego CA | 619-313-9127 |
| Miho | San Diego CA | 619-365-5655 |
| Parkhouse Eatery | San Diego CA | 619-295-7275 |
| Farmers Bottega | San Diego CA | 619-306-8963 |
| Barbarella La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-454-7373 |
| Ketch Grill and Taps | San Diego CA | 858-268-1030 |
| Shorehouse Kitchen Carlsbad | Carlsbad CA | 858-663-9916 |
| Cape Rey Carlsbad, a Hilton Resort | Carlsbad CA | 760-602-0800 |
| Chateau La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-459-4451 |
| Reata Glen | Ladera Ranch CA | 949-545-2250 |
| The Pizza Guys | Vista CA | 760-529-7873 |
| KI's | Encinitas CA | 760-586-8289 |
| Paradise Point Resort BQT Kitchen | San Diego CA | 858-490-6363 |
| Four Seasons Residence Club | Carlsbad CA | 760-603-6360 |
| Tender Greens-Broadway | San Diego CA | 619-807-1394 |
| Blue Water Seafood Market and Grill | San Diego CA | 619-497-0914 |
| Tom Hams Light House | San Diego CA | 619-291-9110 |
| Harley Gray Kitchen and Bar | San Diego CA | 619-840-7000 |
| Hotel Republic San Diego | San Diego CA | 951-756-9357 |
| Portside Pier (Ketch Tasting Deck) | San Diego CA | 858-268-1030 |
| Communal Coffee | San Diego CA | 619-305-9525 |
| Campfire | Carlsbad CA | 760-637-5121 |
| Public House 131 | San Diego CA | 858-537-0890 |
| Vista Valley | Vista CA | 760-758-2800 |
| Humphery's | San Diego CA | 619-224-3577 |
| The Shores | La Jolla CA | 858-459-8271 |
| Jeune Et Jolie | Carlsbad CA | 858-231-0862 |
| Farmer and The Seahorse | San Diego CA | 619-302-3682 |
| Pendry SD (Provisional) | San Diego CA | 619-738-7000 |
| Tender Greens-UTC | San Diego CA | 858-455-9395 |
| The Farm Golf Club | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-756-5585 |
| Olivewood Gardens -Donation | National City CA | 619-434-4281 |
| Crust Pizzeria Carlsbad 2019 | Carlsbad CA | 760-944-1111 |
| Fernside | San Diego CA | 619-398-5156 |
| Fish 101 Cardiff | Cardiff CA | 619-753-7139 |
| Tartine | Coronado CA | 619-435-4323 |
| Shorehouse Kitchen | La Jolla CA | 858-459-3300 |
| Pendry SD (Pool House) | San Diego CA | 619-738-7000 |
| Ciccia Osteria | San Diego CA | 619-674-4069 |
| Pacific Coast Grill | Solana Beach CA | 858-794-4632 |
| Village Vino | San Diego CA | 619-546-8466 |
| Paradisaea Restaurant | La Jolla CA | 732-915-6669 |
| US Grant Hotel Grill | San Diego CA | 619-232-3121 |
| Bekker's Catering | San Diego CA | 619-287-9027 |
| UCSD Food & Nutrition Department La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-761-1269 |
| Brigantine Corp | San Diego CA | 858-926-9644 |
| Ki's Kitchen Commissary | VISTA CA | 760-777-0700 |
| Sheraton La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-453-5500 |
| La Costa Glen North | Carlsbad CA | 760-704-1436 |
| The Plot | Oceanside CA | 422-266-8200 |
| Beach Plum Kitchen | Carlsbad CA | 760-688-8682 |
| Himitsu | La Jolla CA | 858-345-0220 |
| Sheraton Carlsbad (20/20) | Carlsbad CA | 760-827-2400 |
| Morgan Run Resort and Club | Rancho Sante Fe CA | 858-759-5473 |
| HiroNori Ramen | San Diego CA | 619-446-9876 |
| Monarch | Del Mar CA | 619-308-6500 |
| Local Tap House & Kitchen | Oceanside CA | 760-547-1469 |
| Pendry SD (Lion Fish) | San Diego CA | 619-738-7000 |
| Palmys | San Diego CA | 858-886-7111 |
| Wonderland Ocean Pub | San Diego CA | 619-255-3358 |
| The Lion Share | San Diego CA | 619-564-6924 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Baby Kale. One
is easiest, three is harder.| Our Salty Kitchen |
|
Kale Mushroom Pasta with Toasted Pine Nuts |
