Seasonality
Fall/Winter
Quick Tips
How to cook kale
Kale is a wonderful green to cook in stir-fries, skillet dishes, or stews because it retains a bit of texture. This hearty green can also be eaten raw in salads.
How to buy kale
Look for kale with crisp, firm leaves, and stems without brown or yellow spots. The greens should not look wilted.
How to store kale
Store in an airtight bag up to a week and only wash right before using.
Varieties
Lacinato (dinosaur kale)
Red Russian Kale
Curly Kale
Scarlet
About
While I seem to always lump kale in with spinach and swiss chard, kale is actually part of the cabbage family. I find that compared to spinach and chard, kale is a bit more earthy, with a slightly bitter flavor. Kale is at its best in the cooler weather, as it becomes a bit sweeter with cool air and frost. I primarily use Lacinato kale. The flavor is on the sweeter side and the texture can be a bit softer than other varieties.
Kale can be frozen via blanching for two minutes, followed by an ice bath, patting excess moisture off, then putting in a freezer safe container. Like Swiss chard, kale is a delicious addition to stews, risottos, and enchiladas in the winter. While there is a lot of potential for raw kale dishes, you may find the taste a bit overpowering at first. Instead, I highly suggest making a warm kale dish, and gradually working it into your meals.
How to make kale chips
All Vegetarian Kale Recipes
Bean Bake with Greens and Turnips
Carrot Curry with Kale and Paneer
Coconut Turmeric Quinoa with Kale
Curry Chickpea Burgers with Coconut Cabbage Slaw
Garlicky Greens | Component Cooking
Garlicky Kale Pizza with Eggs
Herby Kale Omelette with Manchego Cheese
Kale and Chickpea Stew
Kale Baked Eggs with Dukkah
Kale Bulgur Fritters with Garlic Yogurt + Why I Choose Organic
Kale Egg in a Hole
Kale Pasta with Sunflower Cream Sauce
Kale Quiche with Garlic
Kale Risotto with Farro
Lentil Rotini with Garlicky Kale and Goat Cheese Sauce
Noodles with Kale and Spicy Rhubarb Sauce
Roasted Carrot Multigrain Pilaf with Pepita Pesto
Roasted Rutabaga Pasta with Cashew Sauce
Savory Oatmeal with Garlicky Kale
Sesame Delicata Squash Kale Salad
Spiced Summer Squash Salad with Chickpeas
Tahini Kale Caesar Salad with Whole-Grain Croutons
White Bean Masala Smothered Sweet Potatoes
Za’atar Roasted Tomato Salad with Black Lentils