Kale is a little known vegetable with amazing healing properties. It is an ancient member of the cruciferous family, the same family as broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower. Kale boasts the highest antioxidant ability of any leafy green vegetable! As well as this it is very high in calcium and chlorophyll and contains magnesium, potassium, iron, folate, vitamin C, B2, B3 and E, and contains high levels of the carotenoid lutein, which reduces the risk of cataracts and eye degeneration.
Kale can be found mainly at markets that sell organic produce or organic food supermarkets such as Wray Organics and Mrs. Flannery’s. Organic food deliveries often have Kale available too. It is available in green and purple varieties and can be curly like the picture above or more flat.
Use it as you would spinach or silverbeet – try it in stir-frys, curries, stews and use it instead of spinach in quiche or spinach and feta pie! The possibilities are endless so be imaginative!
