The thread about spinach and chard reminded me I had a freebie packet of
'Nero di Toscana' kale that I'd forgotten all about. I'd been meaning to
try a few plants of that this year but it says sow April to June, so I
assume I'm a bit late to get any started off this time around.

What's the panel's verdict on kale as a winter veg? Is it good eating? I
can't recall ever having any.

--
Sue

Sue wrote:
The thread about spinach and chard reminded me I had a freebie packet
of 'Nero di Toscana' kale that I'd forgotten all about. I'd been
meaning to try a few plants of that this year but it says sow April
to June, so I assume I'm a bit late to get any started off this time
around.
What's the panel's verdict on kale as a winter veg? Is it good
eating? I can't recall ever having any.

Increasingly "trendy" but my memories of it as a child weren't favourable
(and I did generally love my veg as a child). Metallic taste, tough,
probably good cattle fodder.

Tim

Sue wrote:
The thread about spinach and chard reminded me I had a freebie packet of
'Nero di Toscana' kale that I'd forgotten all about. I'd been meaning to
try a few plants of that this year but it says sow April to June, so I
assume I'm a bit late to get any started off this time around.

What's the panel's verdict on kale as a winter veg? Is it good eating? I
can't recall ever having any.


I'm growing some curly kale for the first time this year, so can't
comment on the taste. The only other kale I've come across was the
variety used for cattle feed, which I used to have the job of cutting
and collecting as a kid.

I'm sure if you get the seeds in now it will be ready by Winter or early
Spring.

--
David in Normandy.
To e-mail you must include the password FROG on the
subject line, or it will be automatically deleted
by a filter and not reach my inbox.

I always grow Kale, along with Chard and Spinach. I must say I prefer Kale
to cabbage, I think it is a matter of personal taste. Makes a great winter
soup with broad beans. I sometimes have it for breakfast with a poached egg
on top. Delicious! Steam instead of boiling. Don't overcook it, you will
never make it tender. I would call it robust! It is much better and sweeter
after the frost has touched it or after it has been in the freezer. I also
shred it and put in a tomato sauce for eating with pasta. Dull on it's own
as a side veg but great as an ingredient, think tomato sauce, stir frys,
stews and soups. I would count it as one of my allotment must-haves.

--
Mark Hamer
www.another-way.co.uk

I don't want to arrive at my grave in an attractive and well preserved body,
hopefully I will be skidding in
sideways, Gin and Tonic in one hand -- Cigar in the other screaming YAHAAAY!
"Sue" wrote in message
o.uk...
The thread about spinach and chard reminded me I had a freebie packet of
'Nero di Toscana' kale that I'd forgotten all about. I'd been meaning to
try a few plants of that this year but it says sow April to June, so I
assume I'm a bit late to get any started off this time around.

What's the panel's verdict on kale as a winter veg? Is it good eating? I
can't recall ever having any.

--
Sue

"Sue" wrote ...
The thread about spinach and chard reminded me I had a freebie packet of
'Nero di Toscana' kale that I'd forgotten all about. I'd been meaning to
try a few plants of that this year but it says sow April to June, so I
assume I'm a bit late to get any started off this time around.

What's the panel's verdict on kale as a winter veg? Is it good eating? I
can't recall ever having any.

I remember Curly Kale as a kid and it's not a good memory but we have grown
some "Nero de Toscana" a few times and it's very superior kale, almost a
different veg. Rather good in fact.

--
Regards
Bob Hobden
just W. of London

"Sue" wrote in message
o.uk...
The thread about spinach and chard reminded me I had a freebie packet of
'Nero di Toscana' kale that I'd forgotten all about. I'd been meaning to
try a few plants of that this year but it says sow April to June, so I
assume I'm a bit late to get any started off this time around.

What's the panel's verdict on kale as a winter veg? Is it good eating? I
can't recall ever having any.

--
Sue

We grow different types each year here and it's one of the best greens for
taste and health. You can keep the seeds for next year.

Rowdens Reservoir Allotments
www.rraa.moonfruit.com

"Sue" wrote in message
o.uk...
The thread about spinach and chard reminded me I had a freebie packet of
'Nero di Toscana' kale that I'd forgotten all about. I'd been meaning to
try a few plants of that this year but it says sow April to June, so I
assume I'm a bit late to get any started off this time around.

What's the panel's verdict on kale as a winter veg? Is it good eating? I
can't recall ever having any.


You're better off to sow in September and let it last the winter, otherwise
it might bolt. It's a great veg. for the 'hungry gap' in late winter.
Tastiest cabbage I've ever eaten, better than those boring pale green heads,
and not tough at all. Wonderful for stir fry, too. We have some going now,
but will sow again in September.

someone

"someone" wrote in
You're better off to sow in September and let it last the winter,
otherwise it might bolt. It's a great veg. for the 'hungry gap' in
late winter. Tastiest cabbage I've ever eaten, better than those
boring pale green heads, and not tough at all. Wonderful for stir
fry, too. We have some going now, but will sow again in September.

Thanks for all the replies and cooking ideas, everyone.

It looks as if this particular variety is worth a try and I think I'll
sow some now to see what young leaves are like, and then maybe some
later in Sept to let grow over winter, as suggested, to get sweetened up
by the cold. We don't have an awful lot of room left atm and there
should be more space by then. They seem quite handsome plants from the
pics I can find: very dark green and a striking shape.

--
Sue

"Sue" wrote in message
o.uk...

"someone" wrote in
You're better off to sow in September and let it last the winter,
otherwise it might bolt. It's a great veg. for the 'hungry gap' in
late winter. Tastiest cabbage I've ever eaten, better than those
boring pale green heads, and not tough at all. Wonderful for stir
fry, too. We have some going now, but will sow again in September.

Thanks for all the replies and cooking ideas, everyone.

It looks as if this particular variety is worth a try and I think I'll
sow some now to see what young leaves are like, and then maybe some
later in Sept to let grow over winter, as suggested, to get sweetened up
by the cold. We don't have an awful lot of room left atm and there
should be more space by then. They seem quite handsome plants from the
pics I can find: very dark green and a striking shape.

--
Sue

It's a waste of time sowing in September, far too late