Ok, I officially take back what I said about kale. While it's definitely not one of my favorite vegetables, I can honestly say that I'm starting to develop a taste for it, especially since we've had several hard frosts now and the fall veggies are fading fast. Our kale will probably be the last thing to bite the dust this winter.
Above is a Portuguese kale, the seeds of which were kindly given to me by Michelle. (Thanks again, Michelle!) I wonder if it will taste much like Red Russian.
My spring sown Tuscan kale last year grew like gangbusters and was virtually ignored all summer long, which is why I decided to grow it as a fall crop this year. Well things didn't really pan out all too well. Out of the four varieties I plants, this one did the least well. Tuscan kale is not as winter hardy as other varieties so I doubt that we'll get much of a harvest.
This more traditional-looking variety is 'Vates'. (Thanks again Dan for the seeds!) I have a feeling that it will fair the best this winter. The love the crinkly leaves on this variety.
Finally, the mice seem to be ignoring my Red Russian kale so far this year. That will probably change as the seasons progress. I've grown Red Russian for the past two winters as it has proven to be extremely resilient if given some protection in the form of plastic or fabric row cover. I may not cover it at all this year just to see how much it can take. The most recent batch I harvested was really good in an Italian Wedding soup that I made last week. I can see how this variety is a favorite of many gardeners.
Will you be harvesting kale this winter?
I hadn't even tried kale until I started growing it this year. I'm growing "Dwarf Blue Curled Kale", and the leaves look similar to the Vates you have - sort of doubled-up and crinkly. I've found it to be beautiful in the garden, and delicious in a lot of recipes (my favourite so far is a kale and white bean soup). And this late in the season, it's pretty well the only plant still thriving in the garden, which makes me appreciate having it all the more.
ReplyDeleteRed Russian is my favorite so far. It always sprouts and I love the taste.
ReplyDeleteWow! Kale leaves are beautiful. Of course anything growing in the garden at this time of year would probably receive my praise. I tried growing kale this fall, but the seedlings were eaten by deer.
ReplyDeleteI actually love kale. I also received seeds from Michelle, and I ate a ton of Portuguese Dairyman's last weekend. I fried up some bacon lardons with onion and leek, and then tossed in a ton of chopped up kale, 1/4 cup of stock, and some salt and pepper. 30 minutes later over low heat, the kale was done. It was amazing. Ohh, and I grated a tiny bit of nutmeg at the end.
ReplyDeleteI at the kale with some jerk chicken and turnip mash last Sunday night. You can see a picture at my blog - Comida y Olas.
http://www.comidayolas.com/2011/11/harvest-monday-11711.html
I have the Tuscan kale and a couple of volunteer Portuguese kale this year. The Red Russian iand Vates are two kales that I haven't tried to grow yet. My favorite is the Tuscan which grows really well in my mild winter. I used to plant it in the spring and ignore it all summer and it would get huge and rangy by autumn, so this year I started it in late summer and it is just now coming into its full glory. Glad the Portuguese kale is growing well for you, do let us know how it compares to the Red Russian.
ReplyDeleteThese kale leaves are really so beautiful. It will be great to have these in home garden. You have shared here useful information.
ReplyDeleteI have Squire & Lacinato Kale in the cold frames. I planted kale in the cold frames last year. They easily survived the winter and we had some winter and early spring kale to enjoy.
ReplyDeleteI haven't a clue as to which varieties I'm growing since it is a mixed packet. I hope they winter without protection since they aren't getting any. Last year my curly kale lived with no trouble and gave me some very early greens.
ReplyDeleteHave you tried kale chips? We just made are our first batch and really liked them (which I wrote about), and now I'm thinking of lots of different seasoning possibilities for them (Cajun, dill, chili powder...). Never thought I'd be excited about kale, but here I am!
ReplyDeleteYou have a nice variety of kale in your winter patch. I have lots of kale but it is all the same variety - Siberian Dwarf Improved which is alot like the red russian but more compact plants and does not have the purple hints of color. It is my favorite variety because it is extremely winter hardy but has a tender beautiful leaf that is good in salads if picked very young. I also have grown the red russian and tuscan kale and a few other varieties and they each bring a different quality to the eating table - but all good! I have quite a few kale plants growing under my long grow tunnel. They are a staple provider of greens during the winter.
ReplyDeleteKale chips are AWESOME. I had never had them until last year (we haven't grown any, but we were given some by a family friend) and I just love the chips. Unusual, look a little odd, but tasted great!
ReplyDeleteKale is in my plans for my first Fall garden (next year).
I'm not a huge fan either, but the ease of growing it and the nutrition has me adding it to things like soups often and I find that I'm not bothered by it much anymore :)
ReplyDeleteWe love kale, Thomas and it's so good for you besides. ;) happy to know you are developing a taste. I simply saute in evoo and fresh garlic, s & p, and a bit of wine vinegar at the end. Makes me hungry now. Ours is still doing well except for the Tuscan, which something completely stripped all of them. ??
ReplyDeleteCracking kale Thomas! Our Tuscan has been good. Our usual Pentland Brig is mysteriously missing this year. Instead we have Hungry Gap, which is similar to Portuguese. The name is a clue!
ReplyDeleteWe are growing red Russian and red Winter Kale this year. Love, love, love kale!
ReplyDeleteWe definitely grow and eat plenty of kale, although I must admit that until I started gardening a few years ago, winter greens didn't really grace our table.
ReplyDeleteAfter a bumper crop last year, I discovered that your can blanch and freeze winter greens (including kale) or, as we like to do, braise them and then freeze them. Our favority winter green recipe is posted on our site.
All pictures of your garden are so good. People are getting motivated to have their own. Nice blog is shared here.
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