Produce Briefs...
Dragon Fruit
This grapefruit-sized fruit actually grows on a climbing cactus. Its spongy pulp is white or sometimes pinkish red, sweet and juicy with numerous tiny edible black seeds scattered throughout
Sunchokes
Actually a tuber, the sunchoke looks like a small, bumpy potato or ginger root. The knobby, thin-skinned exterior is usually tannish-gold to cream colored but some varieties are reddish or purplish.
Seasons/Availability
Purple kale is available year round with a peak season during the winter months.
Description/Taste
Purple kale produces serrated vibrant purple variegated ruffled leaves. This attractive vegetable offers a mild cabbage flavor and a chewy semi-crisp texture.
Applications
Tender Purple kale greens are a great intense addition to mixed green salads. They are great carriers for peanuts, almonds, tamari, chiles and other Asian ingredients like sesame oil and ginger. The leaves can be eaten raw, braised, grilled and added to soups and stews.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Since kale survives well in cold climates, it is a favorite mealtime entree served in Scandinavia, Germany, Holland and Scotland. it is also popular in a Portugese soup titled caldo verde, a hearty broth of potatoes, savories and sausage.
Geography/History
Beautiful ornamental purple kale, Brassica oleracea, is cultivated from the dwarf variety of kale and looks like a giant ruffled flower. Although it will grow in warmer climates, cooler weather suits flowering kale much better, but it isn't quite as cold hardy as common kale.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
| Green Dragon Tavern & Museum | Carlsbad CA | 760-797-5579 |
| JR Produce | San Diego CA | 858-270-3857 |
| Ohana Catering | San Diego CA | 858-278-1043 |
| Bernardo Heights Country Club | San Diego CA | 858-487-4022 |
| Bahia Resort Hotel | San Diego CA | 858-488-0551 |
| Great News Cooking School | San Diego CA | 888-478-2433 |
| Turquoise Coffee | San Diego CA | 858-412-5377 |
| Union Kitchen & Tap | Encinitas CA | 760-230-2337 |
| TREO | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 760-672-2587 |
| Stevie's Catering | San Diego CA | 619-995-8343 |
| Sublime Tavern-Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-259-9100 |
| Nobu | San Diego CA | 619-814-4124 |
| The Hake | La Jolla CA | 619-994-7832 |
| Tapenade | San Diego CA | 858-551-7500 |
| SoCal Chef | La Mesa CA | 619-251-3015 |
| Diamond Jack | Chula Vista CA | 619-424-1000 |
| MCRD-Marine Corps Recruit Dept | San Diego CA | 619-725-6388 |
| Surf Side Cuisine | San Diego CA | 619 507-0891 |
| Horizon School-Rancho Santa Fe | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-756-5599 |
| Fish Market Downtown | San Diego CA | 619-232-3474 |
| Pacific Views Event Center-Camp Pendleton | Oceanside CA | 760-763-1675 |
| The Farm Golf Club | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-756-5585 |
| Harney Sushi Oceanside | Oceanside CA | 760-967-1820 |
| Industry | San Diego CA | 619-719-6924 |
| Bernard'O Restaurant | San Diego CA | 858-487-7171 |
| Bahia Resort Kitchen | San Diego CA | 858-488-0551 |
| Lisa Campbel | San Diego CA | 619-295-3173 |
| Perfect Pairings | Carlsbad CA | 760-453-7974 |
| Kettner Exchange | San Diego CA | 312-415-5455 |
| Burlap | San Diego CA | 858 369 5700 |
| The Pearl Hotel | San Diego CA | 877-732-7573 |
| Choice Juicery LLC. Vista | Vista CA | 760-822-6292 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Kale Purple. One
is easiest, three is harder.| Brooklyn Supper |
|
Kale Salad with Golden Beets, Green Garlic, and a Lime Vinaigrette |
| The Kitchn |
|
Kale Salad with Apricots, Avocado, and Parmesan |
| Budget Bytes |
|
Apple Dijon Kale Salad |
Recently Spotted
People have spotted Kale Purple using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android.
Produce Spotting allows you to share your produce discoveries with your neighbors and the world! Is your market carrying green dragon apples? Is a chef doing things with shaved fennel that are out of this world? Pinpoint your location annonymously through the Specialty Produce App and let others know about unique flavors that are around them.
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Noe Valley Farmer's Market
Near San Francisco, California, United States About 3 days ago, 1/24/15 Spotter's comments : Purple Kale spotted at Noe Valley Farmer's Market. SUPER purple organic kale from Happy Boy Farms!! Color up my meals! Glen Park Village Farmers' Market Near Daly City, California, United States About 429 days ago, 11/24/13 Spotter's comments : Purple Kale spotted at Glen Park Village Farmers' Market. Different effect than green kale, purple adds a new color to a dish. Organic from J&M Ibarra Farm. Root 246 Near Solvang, California, United States About 571 days ago, 7/05/13 Spotter's comments : Chef was picking it from the garden out front as we walked up! Barrio Starr Near San Diego, California, United States About 716 days ago, 2/10/13 Spotter's comments : Breakfast tamale with vibrant purple kale! |
