Herb. No. 194 · Brassicaceae
Atlantic European kale; a winter green from Scotland to the American South.
Native · Europe
Native Also grownNow a garden plant worldwide
LegalGentleplant
Kale
Brassica oleracea var. acephala
Fruit & vegetableHarvestCompanions
The unheaded cabbage — a winter green that smoothie culture rediscovered and cottage gardens never forgot.
Kale is Brassica oleracea that never made a head. Traditional Northern European winter green. Culinary leaf, cooked or massaged raw, is the path. The smoothie as a personality is newer than the soup. A frost sweetens it. Summer flea beetles write on it.
Flavor
Green, a little cabbage-sweet after frost. Tuscan types are deeper; curly types hold dressing.
Parts used
Leaf
Helpful
- Hardy into the cold
- Cut-and-come-again
Cautions
- Raw mountains are a jaw workout
- Summer bitterness
- Oxalate for some