Kale has an earthy taste with leaves that are very crunchy and dry. Fresh raw kale has a very mild taste. But as Kale ages, the taste can be so strong that it can stand out on its own in any dish that it is used in.
Kale that grows after frost has a sweet taste as compared to other varieties of kale. However, different people have different views about the actual taste of it. For some of them, it doesn’t taste very pleasant.
Vegetarians and health-conscious people should not miss out on kale because it has a high portion of nutrients and fiber. However, younger kale has a mildly bitter taste because of its soft leaves.
What is Kale
Kale is a cruciferous vegetable with edible leaves. It is dark green with wedges that can be either flat or curly. It has a close resemblance with Broccoli and cabbage in appearance. It is considered a ‘super food’ by nutrition experts because it has low carbs and calories but is rich in vitamins and fiber.
Moreover, it has many health benefits like helping with cancer prevention, better and stable eyesight, and strong bones. Kale can help with strong bones because it contains calcium which is important for strengthening bones.
There are many varieties of kale, but the most common one is deep green kale. Other types include yellow-green Kale, white Kale, red or purple kale. The texture of leaves also differs; some are either flat or ruffled.
Kale is mostly found in Eastern Mediterranean and Asia and harvested mostly in the South and Southwest of Europe. It is an adaptable crop but usually has problems growing up in a dry environment.
How to store kale
If you want to store kale as a whole bunch, avoid excess moisture. Instead, wrap the kale in a paper towel, store it in a plastic bag and refrigerate it.
Refrigerated kale can last for 5-6 days. Another way is to wash it first, separate its stems, slice the leaves and rinse them.
After that, wrap a paper towel around it and refrigerate. This process can help it to stay fresh for three days. If you don’t plan on eating it within a week, blanch the kale and freeze it
How to know if kale has gone bad
If there is a yellow color on refrigerated kale, it is still safe to use. Yellow color is a sign of chlorophyll as it comes as the leaves age. However, if your kale has black specks, rusted white spots, or fungal infection and the texture of its leaves becomes soggy, then it’s not ideal to use kale.
Dishes with kale
Dishes that you can try with kale are as follows:
- Sautéed Kale: This is a perfect side dish; sauté kale with your choice of seasoning and serve it with steak or pasta.
- Kale Pesto – Pair Kale with pasta or put it on top of pizza. This dish is ideal for lunch.
- Kale salad – Use kale in any salad with your choice of ingredients.
- Chicken, kale, and mushroom pot pie – chicken cooked with mushrooms and kale serves best for dinner.
- Chicken stew with kale – it’s a perfect meal of slow-cooked chicken stew served with kale served as the main course.
- You can also cook kale in a microwave
You might also enjoy: