Kale
Estimated Inventory, 24 ct : 29.63
This item was last sold on : 12/29/24
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.
| Brigantine Pt Loma | San Diego CA | 619-224-2871 |
| La Jolla Country Club | San Diego CA | 858-454-9601 |
| Lodge at Torrey Pines Grill | San Diego CA | 858-453-4420 |
| Local Greens | Solana Beach CA | 858-504-0332 |
| Harumama Noodles & Buns (Carlsbad) | Carlsbad CA | 760-637-5737 |
| Ridgeview Health Center | San Diego CA | 858-293-3950 |
| Crown Point Catering | San Diego CA | 619-223-1211 |
| Red O Restaurant | San Diego CA | 858-291-8360 |
| Edgewater Grill | San Diego CA | 619-232-7581 |
| Rustic Root | San Diego CA | 619-232-1747 |
| Giuseppe Restaurants & Fine Catering | San Diego CA | 619-436-7006 |
| Himitsu | La Jolla CA | 858-345-0220 |
| Great Maple Hillcrest | San Diego CA | 619-255-2282 |
| Brigantine Poway | Poway CA | 858-486-3066 |
| The Guild Hotel | San Diego CA | 619-764-5108 |
| Crust Pizzeria Solana Beach | Solana Beach CA | 858-212-8751 |
| The Field Irish Pub & Restaurant | San Diego CA | 619-232-9840 |
| Maxota Raw | San Diego CA | 201-615-1727 |
| Harvest Kitchen | Vista CA | 619-709-0938 |
| Sheraton Carlsbad (20/20) | Carlsbad CA | 760-827-2400 |
| The Roxy Encinitas | Encinitas CA | 760-230-2899 |
| Margaritaville Hotel SD (Kitchen) | San Diego CA | 619-819-9500 |
| Red Door Friends | San Diego CA | 619-295-6000 |
| Kensington Cafe | San Diego CA | 619-684-0044 Fausto |
| The Joint | San Diego CA | 619-222-8272 |
| Ballast Point Rest. - Little Italy | San Diego CA | 619-298-2337 |
| Flora Cafe | Bonita CA | 619-339-6604 |
| The Plot | Oceanside CA | 422-266-8200 |
| Pokewan (Del Mar) | San Diego CA | 858-847-2881 |
| Green Acres Campus | San Diego CA | 858-450-9907 |
| Pacific Regent La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-597-8008 |
| Park Commons - ARE | San Diego CA | 619-295-3172 |
| Rubicon Deli-UTC | San Diego CA | 858-877-9911 |
| Bekker's Catering | San Diego CA | 619-287-9027 |
| Herb & Sea (Bar) | Encinitas CA | 858-587-6601 |
| Hotel La Jolla - Sea & Sky | La Jolla CA | 858-459-0261 |
| Peace Pies (Encinitas) | Encinitas CA | 619-618-6960 |
| Solterra Winery + Kitchen | Encinitas CA | 858-245-6146 |
| Brigantine Coronado | Coronado CA | 619-435-4166 |
| Harumama (Little Italy) | San Diego CA | 619-269-7122 |
| Pacific Yacht Agents | Los Angeles CA | 808-214-0970 |
| Brigantine Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-481-1166 |
| Happy Medium SD | San Diego CA | 509-869-2279 |
| Continental Catering Inc | La Mesa CA | 907-738-9264 |
| Communal Coffee - Oceanside | Oceanside CA | 619-920-7887 |
| Mothership | San Diego CA | 858-342-3609 |
| Miho | San Diego CA | 619-365-5655 |
| Vitality Tap - 1St Ave | San Diego CA | 619-237-7625 |
| Madi | San Diego CA | 320-491-1217 |
| Craft and Commerce (Sekscobra Inc.) | San Diego CA | 619-962-5935 |
| Kettner Exchange | San Diego CA | 909-915-9877 |
| Madison | San Diego CA | 619-822-3465 |
| The Whaling Bar | La Jolla CA | 858-355-9218 |
| Marys Gourmet Salads | La Jolla CA | 858-925-4690 |
| Cutwater Spirits | San Diego CA | 619-672-3848 |
| Portside Pier (Brigantine) | San Diego CA | 858-268-1030 |
| Surf Side Cuisine | San Diego CA | 619-507-0891 |
| The Bowl | San Diego CA | 619-813-5865 |
| Ketch Grill and Taps | San Diego CA | 858-268-1030 |
| Crust Pizzeria-Carmel | San Diego CA | 858-212-8751 |
| Ranch Catering | San Diego CA | 858-491-9100 |
| The Plot Restaurant (Costa Mesa) | Costa Mesa CA | 714-852-3181 |
| Carte Hotel | San Diego CA | 619-365-1858 |
| Richard Walkers Pancake House (DM) | Del Mar CA | 619-306-2999 |
| Pizzeria Luigi | San Diego CA | 610-539-7025 |
| Rubicon Deli India Street | San Diego CA | 619-200-4201 |
| Craft House Sky Deck | San Diego CA | 619-948-4458 |
| Extraordinary Desserts Union St. | San Diego CA | 619-294-7001 |
| The Harvest Honey | San Marcos CA | 616-914-0124 |
| Kitchens For Good | San Diego CA | 619-450-4040 |
| Coronado Yacht Club | Coronado CA | 619-435-1848 |
| Brigantine La Mesa | La Mesa CA | 619-465-1935 |
| Brigantine Imperial Beach | Imperial Beach CA | 619-591-1350 |
| Crust Pizzeria Carlsbad 2019 | Carlsbad CA | 760-944-1111 |
| Kairoa Brewing Company | San Diego CA | 858-735-0051 |
| A & M catering | San Diego CA | 206-802-8320 |
| Sisters Pizza | San Diego CA | 858-228-6822 |
| Solare Ristorante Lounge | San Diego CA | 619-270-9670 |
| Communal Coffee | San Diego CA | 619-305-9525 |
| Fox Point Farms (Haven) | Encinitas CA | 619-892-0553 |
| Boujiemana | San Diego CA | 415-710-0510 |
| San Diego Freedom Ranch | Campo CA | 619-478-5696 |
| Peace Pies | San Diego CA | 619-618-6960 |
| Sandpiper Wood Fired Grill & Oysters | La Jolla CA | 858-228-5655 |
| Coin-Op Game Room (North Park) | San Diego CA | 818-448-0129 |
| Waverly | Cardiff CA | 619-244-0416 |
| US Grant Hotel Main | San Diego CA | 619-232-3121 |
| Nate's Garden Grill | San Diego CA | 619-607-0117 |
| Le Papagayo (Encinitas) | Encinitas CA | 760-944-8252 |
| Barrel & Board | San Diego CA | 619-902-4646 |
| Seasoned Catering and Events | San Diego CA | 619-246-4909 |
| Compa Coffee Roasters | San Diego CA | 858-205-8048 |
| Wolf In the Woods | San Diego CA | 619-851-7275 |
| Valley View Casino & Hotel | Valley Center CA | 760-291-5500 |
| Harumama Noodles & Buns (Vista) | Vista CA | 858-886-9909 |
| Blue Whale | La Jolla CA | 808-868-8639 |
| Sepulveda Meats & Provisions | San Diego CA | 619-501-1878 |
| Sheraton La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-453-5500 |
| Food by Chef Ty | Vista CA | 424-278-8626 |
| Sheraton Carlsbad (Banquets) | Carlsbad CA | 760-827-2400 |
| Olivewood Gardens and Learning Center | National City CA | 619-434-4281 |
| Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-759-6063 |
| 4 The Love Of Lemons | San Diego CA | 760-613-1104 |
| Stake Chophouse & Bar | Coronado CA | 619-522-0077 |
| Scrimshaw Coffee | San Diego CA | 951-663-2207 |
| Richard Walkers Pancake House (LJ) | La Jolla CA | 858-459-8800 |
| Harumama Sushi & Ramen (Ocean Beach) | San Diego CA | 858-886-9909 |
| Sabi Juice | Chula Vista CA | 619-971-8545 |
| Rancho Valencia | Del Mar CA | 858-756-1123 |
| Mike Erlanson | San Diego CA | 619-453-7395 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Kale. One
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