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Kale

Inventory, 24 ct : 43.04
This item was last sold on : 12/04/23

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Description/Taste

Kale is a non-heading, leafy form of wild cabbage that comes in a range of shapes, sizes, and colors, such as blue-green, yellow-green, white, red, or purple. Different cultivars are classified by differences in their stem length and their leaf structure, as some are flat and others are frilly. The standard Kale we usually find in the grocery store is pale to deep green with large, ruffle-edged leaves and long stems. It is hardy and fibrous when fully mature, and tender enough to be used as a raw salad green when young. The pale green stems are tough and typically removed, while the tightly curled leaves are chewy yet succulent. Depending on the variety, Kale can sometimes be spicy, other times a bit sweet, and usually slightly bitter. In general, Kale offers an earthy flavor with a nutty sweetness that is accentuated when cooked.

Seasons/Availability

Kale is available year-round with a peak season in winter.

Current Facts

Kale is a member of the Mustard family, also called the Cabbage family. It’s a variety of Brassica oleracea known as acephala, meaning “without a head”, and is essentially a form of primitive cabbage. Over the last few thousand years, this one plant – wild cabbage, also called wild mustard plant – was selectively bred based on specific morphologic traits in order to create entirely different crops: Kale, head cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and kohlrabi. Kale was produced from selections of wild cabbage plants with larger leaves, and today there are many unique Kale cultivars including Scottish curly Kale, the most commonly found variety, Black Kale, an Italian variety known for the dinosaur-like scales on its leaves, and Siberian Kale, known to be one of the most cold hardy. However, it is important to note that Siberian Kale is actually a different species than most other varieties that are derived from Brassica oleracea. Instead, Siberian Kale is classified as Brassica napus, which is still in the same family, although it is more closely related to rutabagas than other Kales.

Nutritional Value

Kale is rich in antioxidants, and packed with vitamins A, E, K, and B, especially folate. It has a fair amount of protein and iron, and has more vitamin C than other leafy greens. It’s also high in fiber, and has more calcium, gram for gram, than a cup of milk. Researchers have even found that the phytochemicals in Kale may inhibit cancer cell growth. It is important to note that you shouldn’t overdo it with raw Kale because, like other cruciferous vegetables, it contains small amounts of substances that can affect the function of our thyroid gland. These substances become inactive with cooking, so if you have existing thyroid problems, then it’s safest to stick to cooked Kale. Most of us are fine if we stick to modest amounts of raw Kale, such as a handful, even on a daily basis.

Applications

Considering its many forms and stages of harvest, Kale is an incredibly versatile green in the kitchen, and can be used raw or cooked. Young Kale leaves add an earthy flavor to raw salad green mixes, and fully mature Kale is one of the few leafy greens that doesn’t shrink much when it’s cooked. It’s great sautéed, roasted, stewed, and even baked into Kale chips. Just be careful not to over-cook it, as it can develop a more bitter taste. Kale is also often added raw to smoothies, juices, and salads. To prep Kale for use, whether raw or cooked, first remove the tough and fibrous stems. A quick and dirty way to do it is to hold the stem in one hand and strip leaves along the stem away from you. You can also cut the leaves into thin, confetti-like ribbons. A quick massage can help the process of breaking up the cellulose structure of Kale. You can drizzle it with olive oil, salt, and lemon juice, and rub the leaves together in your hands to get a slightly sweeter, much silkier Kale. This leafy green pairs well with garlic, onion, sesame, soy sauce, ginger, smoked or roasted meats, potatoes, grains, oregano, thyme, red pepper, cream, Parmesan cheese, and more. To store 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

The name “Kale” is a Scottish word derived from “coles” or “caulis”, terms used by the Greeks and Romans in reference to the whole cabbage-like group of plants. In Scotland, Kale is such an important part of their traditional diet that the word became synonymous with “food” in some Scottish dialects. For example, to be "off one's kale" is to feel too ill to eat.

Geography/History

Kale is one of the oldest forms of cabbage, native to the eastern Mediterranean or Asia Minor. It has been in cultivation for so long, dating back over 2000 years, and has been so spread across prehistoric traders and migrating tribes, that it’s hard to pinpoint the exact region of origin. Ancient Greeks and Romans grew both curly-leafed and flat-leafed varieties by the fourth century BCE, and these forms, which were referred to by the Romans as sabellian Kale, are considered to be the ancestors of modern Kale varieties. By the Middle Ages, Kale had spread through Europe and Asia, and was one of the most widely eaten green vegetables throughout Europe. While many believe English settlers brought Kale with them to the New World as early as the 17th century, it was David Fairchild, agricultural explorer for the USDA in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, who was specifically credited with introducing American farmers to Kale, along with mangoes, avocados, dates, nectarines, soybeans, and pistachios. Kale is very easy to grow, and it can handle cold temperatures. In fact, a good fall frost or mild, cool winter can actually impart a high sugar content and fine flavor into the Kale plant.

Featured Restaurants

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

Glenbrook Health Center	Carlsbad CA	760-704-1000
The Handmade Chef Meal Prep Co.	San Diego CA	619-368-3705
Pina (Encinitas)	Encinitas CA	562-371-5919
The Roxy Encinitas	Encinitas CA	760-230-2899
Marys Gourmet Salads	La Jolla CA	858-925-4690
The Field Irish Pub & Restaurant	San Diego CA	619-232-9840
Chateau La Jolla	San Diego CA	858-459-4451
US Grant Hotel Grill	San Diego CA	619-232-3121
UCSD Food & Nutrition Department Hillcrest	San Diego CA	619-380-9840
UCSD Food & Nutrition Department La Jolla	San Diego CA	858-761-1269
The Trails	San Diego CA	619-581-5331
Crust Pizzeria-Carmel	San Diego CA	858-212-8751
Barrel Republic Carlsbad	Carlsbad CA	619-204-5945
Portside Pier (Ketch Tasting Deck)	San Diego CA	858-268-1030
Peace Pies	San Diego CA	619-618-6960
Estancia Adobe	San Diego CA	858-550-1000
Mikami	San Diego CA	619-780-0974
Sandpiper Wood Fired Grill & Oysters	La Jolla CA	858-228-5655
Common Theory	San Diego CA	858-384-7974
Tribute Pizza	San Diego CA	858-220-0030

the other 89...

Madi	San Diego CA	320-491-1217
Barrio Star	San Diego CA	619-501-7827
Vitality Tap - 1St Ave	San Diego CA	619-237-7625
Roots Craft Juice	Oceanside CA	760-708-8859
insideOUT	San Diego CA	619-888-8623
Claytons Bakery & Bistro	Coronado CA	619-435-5425
Bishop School	San Diego CA	858-459-4021
The Bier Garden	Encinitas CA	760-632-2437
Kettner Exchange	San Diego CA	909-915-9877
Paradise Point Resort Tidal	San Diego CA	858-490-6363
Margaritaville Hotel SD (Kitchen)	San Diego CA	619-819-9500
Juniper & Ivy	San Diego CA	858-481-3666
Pete's Premade Paleo	San Diego CA	770-359-8274
Sepulveda Meats & Provisions	San Diego CA	619-501-1878
Grass Skirt	San Diego CA	858-412-5237
Brigantine Escondido	Escondido CA	760-743-4718
Siesel's Meats	San Diego CA	619-275-1234
The Crossings	Carlsbad CA	760-444-1800
The Guild Kitchen	San Diego CA	619-573-0289
Great Maple Hillcrest	San Diego CA	619-255-2282
Bea Green Cold Pressed Juice	Alpine CA	619-398-6295
Monarch School (Nutrition Lab)	San Diego CA	619-804-1766
Paradisaea Restaurant	La Jolla CA	732-915-6669
Crust Pizzeria Solana Beach	Solana Beach CA	858-212-8751
Poseidon on the Beach	Del Mar CA	858-755-9345
Ridgeview Health Center	San Diego CA	858-293-3950
Rubicon Deli India Street	San Diego CA	619-200-4201
James Coffee Co. Escondido	Escondido CA	619-961-5805
Stake Chophouse & Bar	Coronado CA	619-522-0077
Mission Pacific	Oceanside CA	760-450-7864
Cardellino	San Diego CA	619-722-3398
Waverly	Cardiff CA	619-244-0416
Green Acres Campus	San Diego CA	858-450-9907
Brigantine Pt Loma	San Diego CA	619-224-2871
Edgewater Grill	San Diego CA	619-232-7581
La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club	San Diego CA	858-454-7126
Brigantine La Mesa	La Mesa CA	619-465-1935
Nutmeg Bakery & Cafe 2	Poway CA	858-397-2922
Harvest Kitchen	Vista CA	619-709-0938
Paradisaea Bar	La Jolla CA	732-915-6669
Kensington Cafe	San Diego CA	619-684-0044 Fausto
Palmys	San Diego CA	858-886-7111
The Joint	San Diego CA	619-222-8272
Brigantine Del Mar	Del Mar CA	858-481-1166
Fairmont Grand Del Mar	San Diego CA	858-314-1975
Maxota Raw	San Diego CA	201-615-1727
Marriott Courtyard - Broadway	San Diego CA	619-446-3008
Raglan Public House	San Diego CA	619-794-2304
Ketch Grill and Taps	San Diego CA	858-268-1030
Craft and Commerce (Sekscobra Inc.)	San Diego CA	619-962-5935
Georges at the Cove	San Diego CA	858-454-4244
Brandon Matzek- Blogger	San Diego CA	800-221-9730
Harumama Sushi & Ramen (Ocean Beach)	San Diego CA	858-886-9909
Yummy Sushi	Coronado CA	619-435-2771
Lafayette Hotel - Quixote	San Diego CA	619-296-2101
Maya Moon Collective	San Diego CA	775-225-8649
One Door North	San Diego CA	858-232-4220
The Guild Bar	San Diego CA	619-573-0289
Knotty Barrel- Rancho	San Diego CA	858-484-8758
Hazel & Jade Bakery	San Diego CA	804-815-8052
Aztec Shop Catering	San Diego CA	619 594-3576
La Costa Glen South	Carlsbad CA	760-704-1000
Rubicon Deli-UTC	San Diego CA	858-877-9911
Rancho Valencia	Del Mar CA	858-756-1123
La Jolla Country Club	San Diego CA	858-454-9601
Sea 180 Coastal Tavern	Imperial Beach CA	619-631-4949
Animae	San Diego CA	619-925-7908
Crust Pizzeria Carlsbad 2019	Carlsbad CA	760-944-1111
The Compass	Carlsbad CA	760-434-1900
Himitsu	La Jolla CA	858-345-0220
Communal Coffee	San Diego CA	619-305-9525
Brigantine Imperial Beach	Imperial Beach CA	619-591-1350
Portside Pier (Brigantine)	San Diego CA	858-268-1030
Nate's Garden Grill	San Diego CA	619-607-0117
MCRD-Marine Corps Recruit Dept	San Diego CA	619-725-6478
The Haven	San Diego CA	619-964-3778
Scrimshaw Coffee	San Diego CA	951-663-2207
Communal Coffee - Oceanside	Oceanside CA	619-920-7887
InterContinental Vistal Kitchen	San Diego CA	619-501-9400
Brigantine Coronado	Coronado CA	619-435-4166
Local Greens	Solana Beach CA	858-504-0332
Pacific Regent La Jolla	San Diego CA	858-597-8008
La Costa Glen North	Carlsbad CA	760-704-1436
Pokewan (Del Mar)	San Diego CA	858-847-2881
Barrel & Board	San Diego CA	619-379-2574
Olivewood Gardens and Learning Center	National City CA	619-434-4281
Artifact at Mingei	San Diego CA	619-846-2164
Madison	San Diego CA	619-822-3465
Brigantine Poway	Poway CA	858-486-3066

Recipe Ideas

Recipes that include Kale. One

is easiest, three is harder.

The Endless Meal		Creamy Kale Salad with Maple Tahini Dressing
Taste and Tell		Cheesy Bacon Kale Crostini
Simply So Healthy		Low-Carb Cauliflower and Kale Curry Soup
The Balanced Berry		Pina Kale-ADA Smoothie
Diethood...The Eating Effect		Smoked Sausage, Kale, & Potato Soup
Fooduzzi		Guacamole Tacos
Lexi's Clean Kitchen		Turkey Kale Soup
From A Chef's Kitchen		Massaged Kale Antipasto Salad
Frugal Mama		Kale Salad with Nasturtium Flowers
Emily Kyle Nutrition		Kale & Red Pepper Shaksuka

the other 91...

A Calculated Whisk		Kale and Bacon Quiches with Hash Brown Crust
The Busy Baker		No Fial Sea Salt and Garlic Kale Chips
Vegan Heaven		Vegan Potato Kale Soup
Eat The Gains		Blender Green Juice Chia Pudding
Honest Fare		Lazy Kale Mash Up
Yay For Food		Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowls with Garlicky Kale
Veggie Desserts		Kale and Apple Cake with Apple Icing
Pinch of Yum		Garlic Kale and Brown Rice Salad with Lemon Dressing
Taste and See		Cheesy Kale Mashed Potatoes
The Foodie Physician		Sweet Potato and Kale Quesadillas
The Harvest Kitchen		Beet & Kale Quinoa Salad
Becky's Best Bites		Lemony Kale Pesto
White on Rice Couple		Baked Kale Chips with Sea Salt and Black Pepper
Fooduzzi		Warm Taco Bliss Salad
Running In A Skirt		Rainbow Green Smoothie Bowl
Two Peas and Their Pod		Baked Gnocchi with Sausage, Kale, and Pesto
Just One Cookbook		Massaged Kale Salad with Mango
Mother Thyme		Roasted Balsamic Kale Chips
Ambitious Kitchen		Chopped Thai Kale Salad with Peanut Ginger Dressing
High Heels & Grills		Corn, Potato, & Kale Chowder
Brooklyn Farmgirl		Kale Rainbow Salad
Taste and See		Kale Orange Cranberry Salad
Salt and Lavender		Shredded Kale and Brussels Sprout Salad
Yay For Food		One Pot Orzo Pasta with Italian Sausage and Kale
Green Kitchen		Kale Chip
This Savory Vegan		White Bean, Rice & Kale Vegan Burritos
Little Bits Of		Caramelized Onion & Kale Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes
Running In A Skirt		Nourishing Vegetarian Crock Pot Lentil Soup
Sweet Peas and Saffron		Kale Pesto with Sunflower Seeds and Pepitas
The Pretty Bee		Vegan Cheesy Kale Chips
Running In A Skirt		Sauteed Kale and Butternut Squash
The Kitchn		Kale Salad with Quick-Pickled Watermelon Radish
Yay For Food		5 Minute Kale Walnut Pesto
Taste and See		Chicken Kale Energy Bowl with Italian Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce
The Endless Meal		Sweet and Spicy Sauteed Kale Stems
Becky's Best Bites		Albacore Tuna Kale Salad with a Simple Lemon Dijon Vinaigrette
Eat Good 4 LIfe		Walnut Apple Kale Salad
SolLuna		Hearty Lentil and Kale Soup
My New Roots		Roasted Kale and Beets with Honey-Horseradish Vinaigrette
This Savory Vegan		Vegan Kale Pesto
The Endless Meal		Roasted Beet and Kale Salad with Maple Candied Walnuts
Just a Taste		Raw Kale Salad with Warm Bacon Vinaigrette
Taste and Tell		Pineapple Banana Kale Smoothie
Vegalicious Recipes		Vegan Pea and Kale Patties
Making Thyme for Health		Guac-Kale-Mole
Life Made Sweeter		Italian Pasta Salad
The Seaside Baker		Walnut Kale Basil Pesto
Wall Flower Kitchen		Dairy Free Mashed Potatoes with Greens
Simply So Healthy		Low-Carb Quesadillas
Lauren's Latest		Garlic Chicken & Kale Spaghetti
Minimalist Baker		White Bean Kale Salad with Tahini Dressing
Amy Glaze's Pommes D'amour		Kale and Fuyu Persimmon Salad with Buddhas Hand Vinaigrette
Yes, More Please		Sweet Potato Kale and Quinoa Fritters
Natasha's Kitchen		Kale Salad with Honey Lemon Dressing
Marisa Moore Nutrition		Kale, Tangerine, Pepita Salad
Diethood...The Eating Effect		Kale and Feta One Pot Pasta
Beauty Everyday		Kohlrabi and Kale Cakes
Community Table		Tuna & Kale Tacos with Citrus salsa
The Weary Chef		Sausage Alfredo with Spaghetti Squash
Get Rawcous		Creamy Kale Salad with Wild Horseradish Leaf
Healthy Happy Life		Sassy Sweet Green Whole Food Smoothie
Dianasaur Dishes		Kale and Parmesan Casserole
Skinny Miss		Baked Sweet Potatoes with Crispy Kale and Feta
Foodie Crush		Kale Caesar Pasta Salad
How Sweet Eats		Crunchy Taco Kale Salad
Cooking LSL		Cauliflower Kale Soup
Simply Stacie		Very Veggie Chicken and Rice Soup
I Am A Food Blog		Kale and Ricotta Stuffed Shells
Earth Eats		Warm Mushroom Kale Dip
Paleo Bailey		Egg Free Chicken Breakfast Hash
The Bungalow Kitchen		Garlicky Braised Kale with Sun-Dried Tomatoes
My New Roots		Poppy Seed-Crusted Butternut Squash with Kale and Pomegranates
Running In A Skirt		Vegetarian Crustless Mushroom, Kale, & Feta Quiche
The Intentional Minimalist		Stewed Kale and Poached Eggs with Fromage Blanc
Little Leopard Book		Kale Pesto
From A Chef's Kitchen		Brown Rice Cheddar Kale Casserole
The Kitchen is My Playground		Kale & Apple Salad with Honey
Oh My Veggies		Vegan Garlic Bread with Kale Pesto
Feasting at Home		GARLICKY CRUCIFEROUS PASTA
Nyssa's Kitchen		Vibrant Kale Salad with Chili Flecked Lemon Tahini Dressing
Dolly and Oatmeal		Fruity Shredded Kale Salad
The Harvest Kitchen		Garlic Chicken Chow Mein with Kale
Heather Christo		Grilled Peach Kale Salad with Honey Almond Clusters and Crispy Prosciutto
Emily Kyle Nutrition		Veggie Lovers Crustless Quiche
Running In A Skirt		Kale and Berry Smoothie
Barefeet in the Kitchen		Warm Peacock Kale and Purple Cauliflower Salad
I Knead to Eat		Creamy Chicken Hazelnut Salad
Young and Raw		Honey Hemp Kale Pear Salad
Produce on Parade		Veggie Kale Soup with 'Sausage'
Love & Lemons		Roasted Delicata Squash Tacos
Served From Scratch		Garlic Kale

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