PrintNutritious… and ornamental kale
Originally published in the Journal de Montréal on March 10, 2012.
Kale, also know as borecole (from the Dutch ‘boerenkool’ for ‘farmer’s cabbage’) doesn’t grow in the shape of an apple like other varieties of cabbage, but rather in branches.
This plant, which originated in the Mediterranean region, was very popular during Roman times and was a common vegetable in the Middle Ages. Since it is rather tough and has a very pronounced flavour, it’s better to blanch it first, instead of eating it raw. Used in stews, soups and salads, kale is the star ingredient of ‘Caldo verde’, the national soup of Portugal that we are proposing on the menu this week.
Kale is one of the most nutritious plants with strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties: It is very rich in beta-carotene, vitamins K, A and C, lutein and zeaxanthin. It is also rich in calcium. What’s more, kale is so decorative that several ornamental varieties exist and each one is as edible and nourishing as the original kale.
Try our recipe for Portuguese Kale Soup “Caldo Verde”
