Botanically speaking kale, cabbage, broccoli, collards and
cauliflower are all Brassica oleracea . They are simply considered different
cultivars. Kale is considered the most ancient form and maybe the closest thing
to wild cabbage. Brassica oleracea is
from Europe and Kale was a staple for the ancient Greeks and Romans. Tasty, nutritious
and easy to grow it spread quickly over the world. Kale is a real superstar when it comes to
nutrition. One cup of chopped raw Kale has over 200% DV of vitamin A, 130 % vitamin
C, and a whopping 648.% vitamin K. Kale is also packed with minerals, Calcium
9%, Iron 6% and Manganese 26% all this in less than 35 calories. By comparison cousin cauliflower has no vitamin
A, and only 20% vitamin K, and 77% vitamin C.
Kale is easy to grow, scatter seeds on cultivated land and
lightly rake, seeds germinate in 3-4 days. Start seeds in late winter or early
fall.
