Kale is a member of the Brassica oleracea species, a group of vegetables which includes
cabbage, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, and cauliflower. Interestingly enough, all the vegetables
listed were originally a single plant; 2500 years of cultivation and breeding have given us the
variety we know today. Kale's roots lie in Europe; it was cultivated by the Greeks and Romans
over two thousand years ago. It is now consumed all over the world, yet is perhaps somewhat less
popular than blander vegetables (such as plain cabbage and lettuce) because of its rather strong
flavor. Kale is a beautiful plant: its leaves are open rather than compressed into a "head",
and they burst forth from their stalks like curls of wild emerald flame.
There are actually three types of kale commonly found in modern gardens. Curly kale is perhaps
the most widely grown; it is a very deep green, and its leaves are extremely ruffled. Curly kale is
crunchy, with tough stalks and a somewhat spicy flavor. Ornamental kale comes in several colors:
green, white, and violet. It is neither as tough or as flavorful as curly kale. Dinosaur kale
boasts blue-green leaves and a sweet, mild taste.
Some individuals find kale to be somewhat bitter; however, these are probably the same people
who turn their noses up at broccoli. For the right palate, kale is a lovely addition to unique
salads, soups, and stews. Kale, unlike many other leafy vegetables, retains its crunch and
deep green color even when cooked in a soup.
Kale is quite hardy. It can grow in fairly poor-quality soil, withstand frost, and resist many
diseases. Cabbages are by nature susceptible to insect pests, but of course you should refrain from
using pesticides on anything that is going to eventually be eaten by humans! Some gardeners find
a screen placed over the growing plants to be an effective deterrent, whereas others swear by natural
pest-control agents such as garlic spray. Kale can be planted indoors or outdoors; if you choose to
start indoors, you will need to wait four to six weeks before moving your plants outdoors.
Kale is an amazingly healthful food. It contains the following vitamins, minerals, and other
nutrients:
vitamin A
Vitamin C
manganese
copper
vitamin B6
dietary fiber
tryptophan
calcium
potassium
vitamin B2
vitamin E
magnesuim
iron
vitamin B1
phosphorous
protein
vitamin B3
folate
zinc
omega 3 fatty acids
Of the substances listed above, kale is richest in the antioxidants vitamin A and vitamin C. This
makes it a potent ally in the prevention of cancer. Kale also contains compounds called glucosinolates
and cysteine sulfoxides that are thought to help activate various enzymes in the liver that help to
detoxify the body.
References:
http://www.whfoods.com/
http://www.museums.org.za/bio/plants/brassicaceae/brassica_oleracea.htm
http://www.gardenersnet.com/vegetable/collard.htm