What's the deal with kale?

[nanette1985]

I did grow up on a farm. Sure, we had kale - it was sort of a weed. It was something cabbagey that we would actually use a little bit of after the rest of the veg in the garden were frozen. Plus kale (or other cabbage) mixed with potatoes was colcannon

In the last couple years it's become some amazing trendy health food.

What happened? Don't really care - still not going to eat it - but I'm curious.

 

[IronWing]

Beats me. We always used it for colcannon as well. Enough kale and butter (especially butter) and potatos would actually taste good.

 

[NetWareHead]

I grow kale each year in my garden and enjoy it from early summer to winter when the plant finally keels over. During the warm months, new growth is fast appearing and can feed you a few times a week if you have several plants. It is pretty hardy plant that will endure frost but the cold temps do severely curtail its growth. I keep picking it until it wont grow back anymore then it gets pulled out. You need to find a good kale recipe. I like to cook it like a side dish to whatever I'm making. I usually start sauteeing some garlic, onions and red pepper flakes. Add chopped kale and a little chicken stock to help it cook down. When it is done I like to add an acid like lemon juice or vinegar, just a dash to cut through the strong leafy flavor. I know it is healthy and it can taste good when you cook it right.

 

[DAGTA]

My understanding is that it is nutrient dense.

 

[QueBert]

I know nothing about it except it's suppose to be uber good for you, and if you put it in a green smoothie you won't be able to taste it. I hate veggies in general, I just ordered a slow juicer and hope the you won't taste it part is legit

 

[Capt Caveman]

I grow three different varieties in my garden. It's a wild cabbage. Tons of nutrients. Use it in salads, soups, juice and kale chips are delicious. And sauteed with olive oil too.

 

[ponyo]

Most weeds are good for you. I use kale in green smoothie.

 

[Dari]

My wife loves it. It gives me gas.

 

[kage69]

It's probably the most under rated veg out there in my opinion, and I applaud the 'Eat More Kale' bumper stickers I see everywhere up here in Northern New England. To answer the OP question directly though, kale is pretty much the healthiest green leafy thing you can eat. On top of being much more nutritious than spinach, kale also contains sulforaphane and indol-3-carbinol, both of which are considered anti-cancer compounds that may also prevent other unpleasant conditions.

My wife is a Southerner, used to lots of collard greens and okra as a kid. She was kind of perplexed when she first saw kale and beets her first winter in Maine, but now they are a common feature in our kitchen. Kale is just amazing stuff! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJ0lY1SuHaM One of those curious things that can actually improve in nutritional value when cooked, apparently.


IMO, two foods everyone should be eating at every opportunity: kale and wild blueberrries. Been reading a lot about diet lately and both of them really make sense for those of us who live in colder climes and want something healthy, easy and sustainable.

 

[kage69]

I grow kale each year in my garden and enjoy it from early summer to winter when the plant finally keels over. During the warm months, new growth is fast appearing and can feed you a few times a week if you have several plants. It is pretty hardy plant that will endure frost but the cold temps do severely curtail its growth. I keep picking it until it wont grow back anymore then it gets pulled out. You need to find a good kale recipe. I like to cook it like a side dish to whatever I'm making. I usually start sauteeing some garlic, onions and red pepper flakes. Add chopped kale and a little chicken stock to help it cook down. When it is done I like to add an acid like lemon juice or vinegar, just a dash to cut through the strong leafy flavor. I know it is healthy and it can taste good when you cook it right.

Yum.


I love using it in a Portuguese themed soup. Chorizo (or some kind of quality sausage or ground meat) potatoes, onions, kale, maybe come carrots and beans, round it out with some garlic and a little butter. Break out the stock and simmer for a few hours. I'd say about 50% of the time instead of serving I let it cool, then park it in the fridge overnight until I need it the next day. I think all soups are better that way. Get it to a slow simmer, then break out the fresh bread and good cheese I picked up earlier.



Aaaaaaand now I have to devour something.

 

[OutHouse]

colcannon i had to google this, never heard of it. does not look like something i would enjoy since i dont really care for kale.

 

[dr150]

Most weeds are good for you. I use kale in green smoothie.

That's what I do.

Just throw that shit in a Blendtec with some fruit, spinach, whey protein, flax, etc and you're good to go as an after workout drink/snack. :thumbsup:

 

[JEDIYoda]

Kale is the most awesomist, most exciting vegetable that God ever created for mankind to consume!!!!

I especially like to eat Kale Preserves!!!

 

[Leros]

Kale salad is fucking delicious.

 

[Mixolydian]

It's the food trend du-juor.

 

[spaceman]

iwont tolerate the fame of cale
at the expense of the humble cabbage

 

[NetWareHead]

Yum.


I love using it in a Portuguese themed soup. Chorizo (or some kind of quality sausage or ground meat) potatoes, onions, kale, maybe come carrots and beans, round it out with some garlic and a little butter. Break out the stock and simmer for a few hours. I'd say about 50% of the time instead of serving I let it cool, then park it in the fridge overnight until I need it the next day. I think all soups are better that way. Get it to a slow simmer, then break out the fresh bread and good cheese I picked up earlier.



Aaaaaaand now I have to devour something.

Sounds good. Kale stands up to strong flavored sausages/meats and provides the vegetable counterpart that makes a balanced dish. I also find it can withstand a long amount of simmering without turning to mush since it is a sturdy leaf.

 

[IronWing]

iwont tolerate the fame of cale
at the expense of the humble cabbage

They have different lots in life. Kale begets colcannon, cabbage bubble and squeak.

In the battle for dinner table dominance I see things coming to a head.

 

[waggy]

yumm.

its not amazing in taste but its ok and damn healthy for you

 

[lxskllr]

Kale's flavor is kind of strong. I like it a good bit, but I could see tiring of it if I ate it too much.

 

[dank69]

Not bad in certain soups and this is coming from someone who does not like most vegetables. One of my least favorites is regular green cabbage when cooked. I like coleslaw though. Cooked green cabbage makes me retch.

 

[HomerJS]

Announcement of health cruise on the Simpsons...


"Welcome to 8 days and seven nights of pushups and kale!"

 

[Scarpozzi]

I tried juicing some kale one time...it made green juice, but didn't taste as good as the recipe advertised.

I've found that moderate amounts of bacon grease and a fried chopped onion make most greens taste much better. I typically will steam/boil the greens for 20 minutes and get them somewhat soft....fry 1-2 strips of bacon in a saucepan large enough to hold the cooked greens. Remove the bacon and crumble/chop. Add a medium onion to the oil in the pan......then combine the cooked onion with the greens......until the onion is distributed throughout the greens. Add the bacon bits back if you like.

That works with Kale, Collard greens, Spinach, etc...

 

[Vdubchaos]

First they sale you garbage, then they tell you how healthy normal food is....and call it "super food" or whatever else to justify a new higher price.

New form of marketing.

I don't mind kale, my wife makes kale/meatball soup that's pretty bangin.

 

[flimsy]

I like kale as a vegetable. Do not think I'd smoothie it though. Trendy or not.