Kale For Cold Winters

[Bo Atkinson]

I'm actually not "off-grid", but this was the only food topic area. Wife and I are definitely extremely alternative in so many ways, for 52 years on the same land together.

I'm offering fresh, surplus, unsprayed-organic kale here in Mid-coast Maine, USA, but only by appointment , through the remaining season into late fall, (depending on rain or garden hose).
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From the www: Red Russian Kale | New Entry Sustainable Farming Project

Health Benefits

A single serving (one cup) contains more than a day's worth of vitamin A requirement, which is important for eye health and immune function. It is also full of vitamins K, C, and B6 as well as manganese, copper, calcium, and magnesium.

I also want to share my latest fast work method as a home based grower... Images show a metal sheet folded into a box and taped at seam, (open top and bottom), all inside my freezer, and with a plastic cover with metal plate over that to retain water vapors.


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Each pale of harvest is dumped on top of previous, already frozen, loose leaf harvest. Before adding newest batch, the pre frozen leaves are compacted down with stick.

The compacted-pre-frozen kale makes a dense bail which is easy to dig out with a spoon, for daily food in winter. Perfect for an old and nearly toothless eater. Even great as a raw topping over other food, in winter.

People with good teeth might prefer dried kale if you have an accessible attic or greenhouse. Pests don't bother it and you save freezer space.

[mojo]

Hi, This is my first garden in Oregon and first time to grow Kale. Do I just pull a leaf off and the plant will continue with putting new growth out or do you cut the whole Kale plant at the base?

[wondering]

wavydome, How beautiful and abundant...I'm sorry I'm in Michigan!! So generous of you, as well. ✌️❤️ Diane

[Bo Atkinson]

Yes Mojo, I just lightly grasp stem near leaf bottom and pull up, which often de-stems it, as the leaf part is tastier. Half the time the stem breaks to get more eating texture in the winter.

I figure the bits of leaf remaining on the stem actually still support the plant needs and it also lets light go through to the leaves behind the taken leaf.

I just leave the old holed leaves to fall down, or push them down, to serve as mulch, (and keep the slugs away from the fresh leaves, but this takes a right attitude to treat all nature as conscious, even in all her creatures, her plants and her minerals). I like the low maintenance of this red kale as compared with fussier vegetables, and it has really been trustworthy no matter how bad the weather, (although hurricanes are rare here).

Another note on benefits of slightly reddish leaves , from the www.. (http://www..).
Are anthocyanins healthy?
Anthocyanins are rich in antioxidants and are thought to be anti-inflammatory and help boost the immune system. Because of this, anthocyanin-rich foods and supplements are often used in herbal medicine to treat a host of unrelated health conditions.

Taste wise: As a winter topping, it is really great tucked into hollow pasta with tomato sauce, reminding me of Italian parmesan cheese, (adding black pepper). I cut way back on dairy cheese and this really fills the gap for me, and feels more energetic.

I use scissors to cut the first sprouting leaves for a couple of weeks – Plant thick, thin quick is recommended, but this year I planted way too thick. I need to find a seeder tool rather than my usual hasty seed tossing.

Bo

[meat suit]

Epic Kale action, love it..
I have 12 plants in the polytunnel, that freezer method looks great, will copy..
we have this white butte fly here that lays eggs onto all brassica and the resulting caterpillars start munching at alarming speed. this year I will feed those to the ducks :-))

[DeDukshyn]

Mmmm ... I would be making a lifetime supply of kale chips. I got a pretty decent kale crop in the greenhouse this year. Dried kale would be perfect for adding to smoothies.

[leavesoftrees]

Kale grows throughout my winter – but I don’t have snow here. I just go out and pick a few leaves every day to add to soup or whatever else I’m cooking. juvenile leaves are the best - nice and tender. The more mature leaves are tough as old boots

[mojo]

Hello Kale fans! I posted this video somewhere else but it certainly deserves a post her and a super cool reason to have more Kale in your diet...
cheers!

4YcYAVAyk9E

[Anna70]

A simple and tasty way of using kale in Winter is to chop up a good amount and then boil, drain and mash it together with potatoes, creating a traditional Dutch 'stamppot (https://heavenly-holland.com/stamppot/)', served with gravy and smoked sausage (veggie works great).

This method also works well with many other vegetables, a combination of carrots and onions with the potatoes gives you 'hutspot'. Great comfort food on a cold day!