Produce Briefs...
Orange Honeydew Melon
Oval-to-round and a delicious cross between a cantaloupe and a honeydew, the very fleshy juicy orangish-yellow pulp of the orange honeydew melon is encased in a hard very yellow matching rind.
Mangosteen
The Purple mangosteen, botanical name Garcinia magostana, simply referred to as mangosteen, is an ultra-tropical slow growing evergreen tree that is cultivated for its edible fruit.
Seasons/Availability
Kale sprouts are available year round.
Current Facts
Kale sprouts are the intended hybrid result of marrying a Red Russian kale variety with a Brussels sprouts cultivar. They are a member of the Brassicaceae family, an economically important food plant family known as the mustard plants, crucifers and cabbages. Kale sprouts are not actually a traditional sprouted plant, rather a part of the plant that is harvested very young, at the tender shooting stage. As the vegetable's appearance may suggest, the process of harvesting each sprout is labor intensive. Plants are hand-harvested from the moment the first sprouts appear and consistently harvested to increase flowering and production of sprouts. If left to grow past the young and tender stage, the plant would form heads and eventually flower.
Description/Taste
Kale sprouts are distinguished by their size and unique shape. Each sprout is trimmed at the point in which it just begins to develop leaves that envelop tiny compact rounded heads. The foliage is frilled and variegated with veins, dual toned in shades of grey-green and violet purple. The texture is tender-crisp and flavor, sweet yet complex with undertones of nuts, pepper and classic brassica.
Applications
Kale sprouts are meant to be showcased on the plate, not lost in a dish, thus they are best suited as an appetizer, a salad component or as an accoutrement to a protein. When prepared raw they are best served as an accompaniment to a salad or first course. The best methods for cooking Kale sprouts are lightly sauteéing or briefly pan-roasting. Favorable companions include textured greens both mild and savory, citrus, mint, pomegranates, almonds, butter, cream, boiled eggs, cheeses such as pecorino, taleggio and alpine varieties, garlic, mustard, mushrooms, olive oil, bacon, pancetta, pepper, pine nuts, thyme, rosemary and light bodied vinegars.
Geography/History
Kale Sprouts are yet another uniquely inventive cruciferous vegetable created under the brand Salad Savoy, whose founder John Moore, created the hearty greens of the same namesake, Salad Savoy, in 1983. The Kale sprouts are marketed under the name Lollipop and along with many newer breeds and hybrids of vegetables and fruits, Lollipop Kale sprouts received their own trademark in the summer of 2012, distinguishing them as an independent vegetable variety solely for marketing and branding purposes.
Recently Spotted
People have spotted Kale Sprouts 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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Chino's Vegetable Shop Near Fairbanks Ranch, California, United States About 74 days ago Spotter's comments : Fresh Kale Sprouts at Chino Farms today. Marks & Spencer Leeds Near Pudsey, United Kingdom About 77 days ago Asda Bradford Near Bradford, United Kingdom About 101 days ago Spotter's comments : Sold as Flower Sprouts in UK Specialty Produce Near San Diego, California, United States About 141 days ago Spotter's comments : These kale spouts are a new product. The have a tinge of Brussels Sprout flavor. Introductory price 99 cents a lb. |
