Produce recently spotted at The Market
Produce Briefs...
Baby Green Zucchini Squash
Baby zucchini squash are hand-harvested- a labor-intensive and expensive process. Squash plant leaves have spines and harvesting involves reaching carefully into the interior of the plant to cut each fruit individually.
Cocktail Artichokes
Cocktail artichokes are simply the smaller artichokes growing on the same plant as larger artichokes. Most commonly they are found growing on globe artichoke and desert globe artichoke plants.
Description/Taste
Purple kale produces serrated and ruffled vibrant purple leaves that are variegated in shades of dusty green. This attractive vegetable offers a very robust cabbage flavor more intense than that of green or black kale. Its leaves have a chewy semi-crisp texture that softens with cooking, but the fibrous stems remain tough and should be removed.
Seasons/Availability
Purple kale is available year-round with a peak season during winter.
Current Facts
Purple kale is a variety of Brassica oleracea that is not only grown for culinary use, but also for its ornamental value. It is cultivated from a dwarf variety of Scotch kale and looks like a giant ruffled flower. Other colored kale varieties include, Red Russian and Redbor, both of which have less of the bicolored green variegation.
Nutritional Value
Purple kale is an excellent source of vitamins A and C, iron, calcium, magnesium, potassium, protein, carbohydrates and dietary fiber.
Applications
When harvested young, the 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 fully mature leaves lose some color when cooked, but may be steamed, braised, stewed, fried, sauteed, and even baked like a chip. They are great in hardy soups which contain smoked meats, potatoes, beans or barley. Other flavor affinities include, bay leaf, oregano, thyme, red pepper flake, nutmeg, shallots, onion, tomato, sweet potatoes, cheddar cheese, Parmesan, cream, roasted meats, chorizo sausage, pancetta and chicken.
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 Portuguese soup titled caldo verde, a hearty broth of potatoes, savories and sausage.
Geography/History
Decorative and delicious, Purple kale will grow in warmer climates, though cooler weather suits this flowering kale much better. It isn't quite as cold hardy as common green kale, but thrives in fertile, well-drained soils. Commercial kale crops are harvested between forty and fifty-five days after planting with new plantings every two weeks in order to provide year round supplies. A cool weather annual, Purple kale's cold-hardy personality makes its flavor even sweeter after a light frost.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
| Green Dragon Tavern & Museum | Carlsbad CA | 760-797-5579 |
| Handlery Hotel & Resort | San Diego CA | 619-298-0511 |
| Uptown Tavern | San Diego CA | 619-847-4688 |
| Coast Citrus | San Diego CA | |
| Backyard Kitchen & Tap | San Diego CA | 619-308-6500 |
| Root Cellar Catering Co. | San Diego CA | 760-846-2092 |
| Union Kitchen & Tap (Encinitas) | Encinitas CA | 760-230-2337 |
| Point Loma Seafood | San Diego CA | 619-223-1109 |
| JSIX American restaurant & Bar | San Diego CA | 619-531-8744 |
| MCRD-Marine Corps Recruit Dept | San Diego CA | 619-725-6478 |
| Et Voilà! French Bistro | San Diego CA | 619-209-7759 |
| American Junkie | San Diego CA | 619-432-9747 |
| The Patio on Lamont | San Diego CA | 619-235-5606 |
| Bishop School | San Diego CA | 858-459-4021 x212 |
| Bahia Resort Kitchen | San Diego CA | 858-488-0551 |
| Barrio Star | San Diego CA | 619-501-7827 |
| Hornblower Cruises | San Diego CA | 619-686-8733 |
| Puesto-Downtown | San Diego CA | 619-233-8880 |
| Rustic Root | San Diego CA | 619-232-1747 |
| JRDN Restaurant | San Diego CA | 858-270-5736 |
| Puesto-La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-775-2289 |
| Kettner Exchange | San Diego CA | 312-415-5455 |
| Leroy's Kitchen & Lounge | Coronado CA | 619-522-6890 |
| Bite SD | San Diego CA | 410-446-3404 |
| Soda & Swine Liberty Station | San Diego CA | 619-501-9989 |
| Half Door Brewing | San Diego CA | 619-232-9845 |
| Inn at Rancho Santa Fe | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-381-8289 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Kale Purple. One
is easiest, three is harder.Recently Spotted
Someone 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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roast
Near New York, United States About 270 days ago, 10/24/16 |
