Kale

Estimated Inventory, 24 ct : 50.58
This item was last sold on : 05/02/25

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Description/Taste

Kale varies in shape, size, and color, depending on the variety and regional growing conditions. The leaves can be broad or long and narrow, and the stems can be thick or thin with a short or elongated appearance. Kale leaves are typically flat, frilly, or curved and feature a textured, creased, and crinkled surface. The ends can be ruffled, and prominent veins branch across the leaf’s center. Kale ranges in color from dark green, grey-green, blue-green, yellow-green, white, and red to purple, and the surface has a waxy, sturdy feel. Some types of Kale will be tender, succulent, and crisp, while other varieties will be tougher, chewier, and more fibrous. The leaves will also vary in flavor based on the cultivar and age of the plant. Kale is edible raw or cooked and ranges from sweet, nutty, bitter, to earthy. The leaves typically release an initially green and grassy flavor followed by a peppery, subtly citrusy taste with a lingering sweetness. Cooked Kale is milder and becomes more neutral, nutty, and earthy.

Seasons/Availability

Kale is available year-round, with a peak season in the late fall through early spring.

Current Facts

Kale, botanically classified as Brassica oleracea, is a general descriptor for several types of leafy greens belonging to the Brassicaceae family. There are many species within the Brassica oleracea species beyond Kale, including cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower, and Kale is a part of the acephala group, roughly translating from Latin to mean “without a head.” Kale is an ancient crop cultivated for ornamental and culinary purposes. In the modern day, it is estimated that there are over 150 types of Kale, and the five most common kinds seen in commercial markets include Lacinato or Tuscan Kale, Scotch or Curly Kale, Baby Kale, Redbor Kale, and Red Russian Kale. Worldwide, Kale is favored for its easy-to-grow nature. The plants are hardy, disease-resistant, low-maintenance, and high in nutrients. Kale is commercially cultivated on a broad scale and is promoted as a versatile ingredient in raw or cooked culinary preparations.

Nutritional Value

Kale varies in nutritional properties, depending on the specific variety. In general, Kale is a source of fiber to regulate the digestive tract, phosphorus and calcium to support bones and teeth, magnesium to control nerve functions, and potassium to balance fluid levels within the body. Kale also provides iron to develop the protein hemoglobin for oxygen transport through the bloodstream, vitamins C, E, and K to strengthen the immune system, guard the cells against free radical damage, and aid faster wound healing, and other nutrients, including zinc, beta-carotene, folate, and B vitamins. Kale notably contains the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin, which are said to help slow issues related to macular degeneration, an eye disease. The greens are generally considered safe to consume in small quantities, but it is important to note that individuals on specific medications with beta-blockers or blood thinners and individuals dealing with kidney disease should discuss the consumption of Kale with their doctor before eating.

Applications

Kale is a hardy, versatile ingredient incorporated into fresh and cooked culinary preparations. Young and tender greens are recommended for raw dishes, as more mature leaves can have a tough, fibrous, or chewy nature. Baby Kale is favored for salads as the entire leaf can be used whole. Larger but tender greens can also be massaged to soften the overall structure of the leaves to create a more palatable texture for raw dishes. Kale is popularly added to smoothies and juices. It is also layered into sandwiches, tossed into grain bowls, or pureed into creamy dips and spreads, including hummus. Beyond raw dishes, Kale can be cooked and does not shrink much in size. The greens hold up to almost all types of cooking such as steaming, boiling, roasting, stir-frying, searing, and braising, and are often prepared as a simple side with aromatics to enhance the overall flavor. The leaves are commonly cooked into casseroles, egg-based dishes, soups, curries, and stews. In Italy, various Kale types are tossed into pasta dishes, used as a pizza topping, or blended into pesto recipes. They are also sauteed with pancetta and simmered in Tuscan stews. In Portugal, caldo verde is a famous soup made from sausage, kale, and potatoes. Throughout history, Kale has been utilized in celebratory preparations to welcome the changing of seasons in Germany and the Netherlands. Grühnkohlfahrt is a German dish of cooked kale and sausage, and in the Netherlands, stamppot boerenkool incorporates kale with potatoes. Kale is also frequently baked into crisp, chip-like snacks and is incorporated into various dishes worldwide. Kale pairs well with aromatics such as garlic, shallots, ginger, and onions, herbs including rosemary, oregano, and thyme, lemon juice, and nuts such as walnuts, pine, and almonds. Whole, unwashed raw Kale will keep for one week when stored loosely wrapped in a paper towel in a sealed container in the refrigerator. Kale can also be blanched and frozen for extended use.

Ethnic/Cultural Info

Kale was once a famous predictor of love in Scotland. During the 18th and 19th centuries, Kale was an essential crop in Scottish home gardens, and the greens were so common in culinary preparations that the name for Kale in some Scottish dialects, Kail, also became the word for “food” or “dinner” in general. Scottish kitchens also used “kail pots” for cooking, and gardens were called “kail yards” due to the abundance of Kale grown in the home plots. One of the most notable historical uses of Kale in Scotland was during Samhain, an annual event to mark the changing of seasons and the coming of winter. Samhain later evolved into Halloween, but during the 18th century, the morning between October 31st and November 1st was a time when spirits and supernatural entities could roam the Earth. It was customary in Scotland for communities to complete superstitious activities on this night, including using Kale as a divination tool. Scottish lore claims that pulling a Kale plant from the ground on the night of Samhain can predict a future lover. The practice was called “pou or pull the stalks,” and participants were blindfolded and led to the plants in the dark at midnight. Once the Kale was pulled, the stalks were examined and traits such as soil on the roots, the plant’s straight or crooked nature, size and length, and flavor all predicted various traits of a future lover. This plant-pulling tradition is notably referenced in Scottish poet Robert Burns’ 1785 poem, “Hallowe’en.” The 252-line poem describes various lore and activities during the fall celebration and is an insightful piece into the customs of Kale picking in Scotland.

Geography/History

Kale is native to regions within the Eastern Mediterranean, Asia Minor, and the Middle East and has been growing wild since ancient times. Wild forms of Brassica oleracea were hypothesized to have been foraged for their seeds, and Kale is thought to have descended from some of the oldest wild forms. Kale was domesticated around 400 BCE, and some of the first records appeared between 370 and 285 BCE in writings by Greek scholar Theophrastus. Domesticated Kale types were grown in Ancient Greece and Rome, and improved varieties were cultivated over time for select characteristics. Kale was eventually spread to civilizations throughout Europe and was favored in areas with colder climates due to the plant’s hot and cold tolerance. It was also introduced to regions of East Asia. Kale was widely grown and consumed as a culinary ingredient throughout Europe and Asia by the Middle Ages, but it later became a lesser-known green as consumer preferences fluctuated and changed. Kale was carried with European settlers to the New World as early as the 17th century, and some varieties were planted in Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello Garden in the early 19th century. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, an agricultural explorer for the USDA, David Fairchild, also promoted and introduced Kale varieties to nurseries and home gardens in the United States. Kale was briefly promoted throughout England during World War II as a hardy green for home gardens in the “Dig for Victory” campaign, and several varieties were marketed in the late 1980s, including the well-known cavolo nero. Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, Kale was primarily utilized as an ornamental decoration in culinary displays. Around 2007, farmers’ markets began re-promoting Kale for its nutritional benefits, and the greens were slowly revived through celebrity endorsements, health food trends, and market promotions. Kale became a popular ingredient in 2009 in the United States, and in 2012, Bon Appétit magazine named it the “Year of Kale.” A National Kale Day was also established in October 2013, contributing to the species’ revival as a culinary green worldwide. Today, Kale is widely grown and commercially available in both hemispheres. Various types are sold through local markets, supermarkets, and wholesalers. Kale is also frequently grown in home gardens.

Featured Restaurants

Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.

Maxota Raw	San Diego CA	201-615-1727
Green Acres Campus	San Diego CA	858-450-9907
4 The Love Of Lemons	San Diego CA	760-613-1104
Boujiemana	San Diego CA	415-710-0510
Happy Medium SD	San Diego CA	509-869-2279
Bekker's Catering	San Diego CA	619-287-9027
Wolf In the Woods	San Diego CA	619-851-7275
La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club	San Diego CA	619-816-8319
Ketch Grill and Taps	San Diego CA	858-268-1030
Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District	El Cajon CA	619-644-7585
UCSD La Jolla (Pritikin Intensive)	San Diego CA	858-657-6473
Rustic Root	San Diego CA	619-232-1747
Portside Pier (Brigantine)	San Diego CA	858-268-1030
Kairoa Brewing Company	San Diego CA	858-735-0051
Marine Group Global Services LLC	San Diego CA	619-972-9345
The Plot	Oceanside CA	422-266-8200
Brigantine La Mesa	La Mesa CA	619-465-1935
Communal Coffee - Oceanside	Oceanside CA	619-920-7887
Nate's Garden Grill	San Diego CA	619-607-0117
The Roxy Encinitas	Encinitas CA	760-230-2899

the other 90...

Craft House Fashion Valley	San Diego CA	619-948-4458
Wormwood	San Diego CA	619-573-0289
Brigantine Coronado	Coronado CA	619-435-4166
Glenbrook Health Center	Carlsbad CA	760-704-1000
Crust Pizzeria Solana Beach	Solana Beach CA	858-212-8751
Wildland	Carlsbad CA	619-385-0914
Madi	San Diego CA	320-491-1217
Animae	San Diego CA	619-925-7908
Pacific Regent La Jolla	San Diego CA	858-597-8008
Flora Cafe	Bonita CA	619-339-6604
Margaritaville Hotel SD (Kitchen)	San Diego CA	619-819-9500
Sabi Juice	Chula Vista CA	619-971-8545
Coin-Op Game Room (North Park)	San Diego CA	818-448-0129
Craft House Sky Deck	San Diego CA	619-948-4458
Living Coast Discovery Center	Chula Vista CA	619-409-5900
Sepulveda Meats & Provisions	San Diego CA	619-501-1878
Gravity Heights Mission Valley	San Diego CA	619-384-5993
Webbcreationfood LLC	San Diego CA	619-829-9194
Rubicon Deli-UTC	San Diego CA	858-877-9911
Hyatt Islandia	San Diego CA	619-224-1234
Brigantine Imperial Beach	Imperial Beach CA	619-591-1350
Fox Point Farms	Encinitas CA	619-892-0553
Vista Valley	Vista CA	760-758-2800
Brigantine Poway	Poway CA	858-486-3066
Waverly	Cardiff CA	619-244-0416
Il Giardino di Lilli	La Jolla CA	619-467-9897
Brigantine Escondido	Escondido CA	760-743-4718
Kettner Exchange	San Diego CA	909-915-9877
The Plot Restaurant (Costa Mesa)	Costa Mesa CA	714-852-3181
Great Maple Hillcrest	San Diego CA	619-255-2282
Kensington Cafe	San Diego CA	619-684-0044 Fausto
Hotel La Jolla - Sea & Sky	La Jolla CA	858-459-0261
InterContinental Vistal Kitchen	San Diego CA	619-501-9400
Flying Pig Pub & Kitchen	Oceanside CA	619-990-0158
Artifact at Mingei	San Diego CA	619-846-2164
Hilton Mission Valley	San Diego CA	619-543-9000
Healthy Creations-Encinitas	Encinitas CA	760-479-0500
Rubicon Deli India Street	San Diego CA	619-200-4201
The Joint	San Diego CA	619-222-8272
Madison	San Diego CA	619-822-3465
Peace Pies	San Diego CA	619-618-6960
Mesa College	San Diego CA	619-388-2240
The Lion Share Bar	San Diego CA	619-564-6924
Barleymash	San Diego CA	619-255-7373
UCSD Food & Nutrition Department La Jolla	San Diego CA	858-761-1269
Himitsu	La Jolla CA	858-345-0220
Compa Coffee Roasters	San Diego CA	858-205-8048
Coast Catering	Escondido CA	619-295-3173
Rustic Root Solana	Solana Beach CA	619-955-5750
Richard Walkers Pancake House (DM)	Del Mar CA	619-306-2999
Stake Chophouse & Bar	Coronado CA	619-522-0077
The Whaling Bar	La Jolla CA	858-355-9218
Solare Ristorante Lounge	San Diego CA	619-270-9670
Ballast Point Rest. - Miramar	San Diego CA	858-790-6900
Local Greens	Solana Beach CA	858-504-0332
Daily News Cafe	Carlsbad CA	760-519-3048
Red O Restaurant (Bar)	San Diego CA	858-291-8360
Maderas Golf Club	Poway CA	858-451-8100
Dylan's Pet Food	San Diego CA	732-233-1606
Crust Pizzeria-Carmel	San Diego CA	858-212-8751
Solterra Winery + Kitchen	Encinitas CA	858-245-6146
Sheraton Carlsbad (20/20)	Carlsbad CA	760-827-2400
Storyhouse Spirits Bar	San Diego CA	801-949-5955
Sisters Pizza	San Diego CA	858-228-6822
Rancho Valencia	Del Mar CA	858-756-1123
Brigantine Del Mar	Del Mar CA	858-481-1166
Blue Ocean Sushi & Grill (UTC)	San Diego CA	858-886-9909
Pokewan (Del Mar)	San Diego CA	858-847-2881
Fox Point Farms (Haven)	Encinitas CA	619-892-0553
Communal Coffee	San Diego CA	619-305-9525
La Jolla Country Club	San Diego CA	858-454-9601
Brigantine Pt Loma	San Diego CA	619-224-2871
Belmont Park Entertainment	San Diego CA	858-228-9283
Donna Jean	San Diego CA	619-392-0052
Park Commons - ARE	San Diego CA	619-295-3172
The Field Irish Pub & Restaurant	San Diego CA	619-232-9840
The Besta-Wan Pizza House	Cardiff CA	805-231-2515
The Bowl	San Diego CA	619-813-5865
Vitality Tap - 1St Ave	San Diego CA	619-237-7625
Trust Restaurant	San Diego CA	609-780-7572
Crust Pizzeria Carlsbad 2019	Carlsbad CA	760-944-1111
Siesel's Meats	San Diego CA	619-275-1234
Chateau La Jolla	San Diego CA	858-459-4451
US Grant Hotel Grill	San Diego CA	619-232-3121
Peace Pies (Encinitas)	Encinitas CA	619-618-6960
Cross Roots	San Diego CA	858-245-1678
Carte Hotel	San Diego CA	619-365-1858
Marys Gourmet Salads	La Jolla CA	858-925-4690
insideOUT	San Diego CA	619-888-8623
Lilo	Carlsbad CA	619-385-0914

Recipe Ideas

Recipes that include Kale. One

is easiest, three is harder.

The Harvest Kitchen		Beet & Kale Quinoa Salad
Running In A Skirt		Kale and Berry Smoothie
Cooking LSL		Cauliflower Kale Soup
Minimalist Baker		White Bean Kale Salad with Tahini Dressing
Simply So Healthy		Low-Carb Quesadillas
Young and Raw		Honey Hemp Kale Pear Salad
Yes, More Please		Sweet Potato Kale and Quinoa Fritters
Wall Flower Kitchen		Dairy Free Mashed Potatoes with Greens
Taste and See		Chicken Kale Energy Bowl with Italian Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce
Community Table		Tuna & Kale Tacos with Citrus salsa

the other 91...

The Kitchen is My Playground		Kale & Apple Salad with Honey
Taste and Tell		Pineapple Banana Kale Smoothie
The Weary Chef		Sausage Alfredo with Spaghetti Squash
The Harvest Kitchen		Garlic Chicken Chow Mein with Kale
Barefeet in the Kitchen		Warm Peacock Kale and Purple Cauliflower Salad
SolLuna		Hearty Lentil and Kale Soup
Natasha's Kitchen		Kale Salad with Honey Lemon Dressing
Feasting at Home		GARLICKY CRUCIFEROUS PASTA
Eat The Gains		Blender Green Juice Chia Pudding
Eat Good 4 LIfe		Walnut Apple Kale Salad
The Intentional Minimalist		Stewed Kale and Poached Eggs with Fromage Blanc
Heather Christo		Grilled Peach Kale Salad with Honey Almond Clusters and Crispy Prosciutto
The Bungalow Kitchen		Garlicky Braised Kale with Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Ambitious Kitchen		Chopped Thai Kale Salad with Peanut Ginger Dressing
Taste and Tell		Cheesy Bacon Kale Crostini
How Sweet Eats		Crunchy Taco Kale Salad
I Am A Food Blog		Kale and Ricotta Stuffed Shells
I Knead to Eat		Creamy Chicken Hazelnut Salad
Lauren's Latest		Garlic Chicken & Kale Spaghetti
Pinch of Yum		Garlic Kale and Brown Rice Salad with Lemon Dressing
The Pretty Bee		Vegan Cheesy Kale Chips
Skinny Miss		Baked Sweet Potatoes with Crispy Kale and Feta
Brooklyn Farmgirl		Kale Rainbow Salad
A Calculated Whisk		Kale and Bacon Quiches with Hash Brown Crust
The Endless Meal		Creamy Kale Salad with Maple Tahini Dressing
Vegan Heaven		Vegan Potato Kale Soup
Fooduzzi		Warm Taco Bliss Salad
Life Made Sweeter		Italian Pasta Salad
Beauty Everyday		Kohlrabi and Kale Cakes
The Foodie Physician		Sweet Potato and Kale Quesadillas
Becky's Best Bites		Lemony Kale Pesto
This Savory Vegan		White Bean, Rice & Kale Vegan Burritos
Healthy Happy Life		Sassy Sweet Green Whole Food Smoothie
Dianasaur Dishes		Kale and Parmesan Casserole
The Kitchn		Kale Salad with Quick-Pickled Watermelon Radish
Honest Fare		Lazy Kale Mash Up
From A Chef's Kitchen		Brown Rice Cheddar Kale Casserole
The Endless Meal		Sweet and Spicy Sauteed Kale Stems
Dolly and Oatmeal		Fruity Shredded Kale Salad
Just a Taste		Raw Kale Salad with Warm Bacon Vinaigrette
My New Roots		Roasted Kale and Beets with Honey-Horseradish Vinaigrette
Little Bits Of		Caramelized Onion & Kale Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes
Produce on Parade		Veggie Kale Soup with 'Sausage'
Simply So Healthy		Low-Carb Cauliflower and Kale Curry Soup
The Seaside Baker		Walnut Kale Basil Pesto
Lexi's Clean Kitchen		Turkey Kale Soup
Yay For Food		5 Minute Kale Walnut Pesto
Diethood...The Eating Effect		Smoked Sausage, Kale, & Potato Soup
Taste and See		Cheesy Kale Mashed Potatoes
The Endless Meal		Roasted Beet and Kale Salad with Maple Candied Walnuts
Foodie Crush		Kale Caesar Pasta Salad
Taste and See		Kale Orange Cranberry Salad
Vegalicious Recipes		Vegan Pea and Kale Patties
Running In A Skirt		Rainbow Green Smoothie Bowl
Love & Lemons		Roasted Delicata Squash Tacos
Emily Kyle Nutrition		Veggie Lovers Crustless Quiche
White on Rice Couple		Baked Kale Chips with Sea Salt and Black Pepper
Green Kitchen		Kale Chip
The Balanced Berry		Pina Kale-ADA Smoothie
Frugal Mama		Kale Salad with Nasturtium Flowers
Little Leopard Book		Kale Pesto
From A Chef's Kitchen		Massaged Kale Antipasto Salad
Nyssa's Kitchen		Vibrant Kale Salad with Chili Flecked Lemon Tahini Dressing
Oh My Veggies		Vegan Garlic Bread with Kale Pesto
Running In A Skirt		Vegetarian Crustless Mushroom, Kale, & Feta Quiche
Just One Cookbook		Massaged Kale Salad with Mango
High Heels & Grills		Corn, Potato, & Kale Chowder
Simply Stacie		Very Veggie Chicken and Rice Soup
Running In A Skirt		Sauteed Kale and Butternut Squash
Making Thyme for Health		Guac-Kale-Mole
Emily Kyle Nutrition		Kale & Red Pepper Shaksuka
My New Roots		Poppy Seed-Crusted Butternut Squash with Kale and Pomegranates
Running In A Skirt		Nourishing Vegetarian Crock Pot Lentil Soup
Get Rawcous		Creamy Kale Salad with Wild Horseradish Leaf
Yay For Food		Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowls with Garlicky Kale
Yay For Food		One Pot Orzo Pasta with Italian Sausage and Kale
Veggie Desserts		Kale and Apple Cake with Apple Icing
Becky's Best Bites		Albacore Tuna Kale Salad with a Simple Lemon Dijon Vinaigrette
Served From Scratch		Garlic Kale
This Savory Vegan		Vegan Kale Pesto
Marisa Moore Nutrition		Kale, Tangerine, Pepita Salad
Fooduzzi		Guacamole Tacos
Earth Eats		Warm Mushroom Kale Dip
Paleo Bailey		Egg Free Chicken Breakfast Hash
Diethood...The Eating Effect		Kale and Feta One Pot Pasta
Two Peas and Their Pod		Baked Gnocchi with Sausage, Kale, and Pesto
Amy Glaze's Pommes D'amour		Kale and Fuyu Persimmon Salad with Buddhas Hand Vinaigrette
Sweet Peas and Saffron		Kale Pesto with Sunflower Seeds and Pepitas
The Busy Baker		No Fial Sea Salt and Garlic Kale Chips
Mother Thyme		Roasted Balsamic Kale Chips
Salt and Lavender		Shredded Kale and Brussels Sprout Salad