Spicing up your garden with fresh, organic kale is a great way to make your harvest healthy and delicious. Kale is an incredibly versatile green and you can use it in many recipes. But did you know there are some extra tips and tricks for making it taste even better?
Whether you prefer the lacy-leaved ‘Red Russian,’ or dinosaur kale, learning these simple secrets will give your food a punch of sweet flavor. With a few tweaks to the planting, cooking process, and proper maintenance along the way, you can enjoy more succulent greens than ever before! To get the key advice you need to successfully cultivate delicious kale, keep reading!
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Plant When It’s Cool
When it comes to growing kale, timing is everything! Kale tastes best when it grows quickly and matures before the hot temperatures of summer kick in. The frost will later help to improve the flavor, making it sweeter and more tender. Planting four to six weeks before the average last spring frost gives your kale plenty of time to become established.
It’s best to plant kale before temperatures exceed 75 degrees Fahrenheit. This will ensure that you get a sweet and tender crop before hot temperatures slow growth and cause a bitter flavor.
If planting from seedlings or starting outdoors isn’t an option for you, then try growing kale indoors in containers! If you’d like you can later transplant them into your garden.
Fall is also a great time to plant this vegetable. To do so, choose an early maturing cultivar and direct-sow three months before your area’s first fall frost date. If you live in a hot summer climate, wait until temperatures cool down before planting your kale. Don’t worry, kale can handle temperatures of 25–28 degrees Fahrenheit and hard frosts with no damage.
Massage Your Kale
Everyone needs a massage once in a while. And massaging kale is a simple way to improve the taste of this leafy green vegetable.
To give your kale an extra boost of flavor, try massaging it with a vinaigrette-based dressing before serving. Start by cutting the main stem and putting your greens in a large bowl. Then drizzle with some salt, oil, vinegar, or lemon. Use your hands to firmly press and rub the kale for about one to three minutes until it softens up. The vinaigrette will help loosen the leaves as you massage them, making them even more flavorful when served.
Kale has an incredibly tough texture, which makes it difficult for some people to enjoy its natural flavor. Massaging the leaves helps soften them, making them more delightful to eat raw.
Blanching
When it comes to taste, blanched kale can make a big difference. Blanching helps remove some of the bitterness, making it even more delicious to eat raw or cooked. Plus, blanched leaves are softer and easier to chew.
All you need to do is place the leaves in a pot of boiling water for one minute before submerging them into an ice-water bath. Once they are cool, use a colander to press out any excess water, and blot dry with paper towels if desired. This quick blanching process can transform your leafy green into a delicious treat!
Benefits of Kale
Kale is one of the healthiest foods you can add to your diet — and if you’re looking for a nutrient-packed powerhouse, it’s hard to beat! It’s rich in vitamins C, K, and A, carotenoids, folate, vitamin B6, manganese, and fiber. All these nutrients offer a variety of health benefits when consumed regularly.
Experts have linked Vitamin K with blood clotting and bone health. Vitamin C helps support the immune system and collagen production, while Vitamin A supports healthy vision. Carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin are essential antioxidants that protect cells from damage, while vitamin B6 helps regulate hormones and metabolism.
Finally, manganese is essential for bone health and energy production.
So, if you’re looking for a great and delicious way to add more nutrients to your diet, why not give kale a try? Not only does it taste great, but it will also give your body the boost it needs and help promote overall health and well-being.
Kale’d It!
By following these three tips, you’ll get the most out of your kale harvest! Planting when it’s cool outside, massaging with olive oil and salt, and blanching before serving will help ensure that your kale is delicious every time.
Do you have any other tips for making garden kale taste its best? Share this article and leave a comment below!
