Kale, from garden to soup, Pt. 1

I've noticed that some people are finding my blog by using search engines to find out about eating sweet potato vines.  I wondered if they may also be looking for information on kale.  There is a lot of good info out there, but thought I'd add my little bit of sort of photo journalism to what's out there.

On Thursday, 11/20/08, knowing that the temps were supposed to dip into the teens, and not remembering how cold it can get before the kale gets mushy, I went out to take pics as I harvested and picked some kale.  First, I tried to get a little artsy with the kale, but my talent for that is at the beginning stages.  Still, I kept some and posted them.  

This kale was planted early, in full sun, probably in March.  I have been eating from them all summer, once a week or every other week.  I eat kale raw or cooked.  I read that the large leaves should not be eaten raw, but I do.

In doing a search this morning for information to add about kale, I read that it's best to harvest from the middle to promote new growth.  I did it because I figured the outer leaves had gotten too big and may be tough.

Here, I experimented with seeing if covering would help the kale last longer.  I haven't made it back out to see yet, but it's still looking green from the driveway.  It was getting dark.  I adjusted things so it appears lighter here than it was.  I saw that our lows are only supposed to be in the 20s this week, so I plan to take the buckets off when I get a chance.

I used the same method of washing, drying, and packaging as I do with lettuce and other salad greens.  First, put water in the bowl with the kale.

Push it into the water and swish it around.

Lift it out of the water, and put into the sink.

Pick up clumps and rinse them off.  

I usually put them on the drainer in the next sink, and shake them a bit, but skipped that this time because I didn't want to put the dishes away that were in it.  I just shook them by the handful and put them on a clean bath towel.  A couple kitchen towels could also be used.

Wrap and gently press against the towel to partially dry the kale.  It can be left a little while to absorb moisture if desired.

If not using right away, place a white paper towel in a plastic bag, then put the kale inside, adding a paper towel on top, before closing the bag.  If anyone knows a more environmentally friendly way to store veggies, please let me know.

I was planning on making soup with the kale yesterday, but forgot we had two functions to go to, so instead of making soup, I was making herb cream cheese spread to put on the crackers we bought to take to each of them.  It was nice seeing people we hardly ever see, and gabbing about my new love of blogging.  Now, we can go back to hardly ever going anywhere, and I hope to make the soup today, and have my husband take some pics.  :o)