How to Store Kale. Kale will store for two to three weeks at 32° to 34°F (0°-4°C) and 90 to 95 percent humidity (moist) with some air circulation. Wrap leaves in a moist cloth or paper towel and store them in a perforated plastic bag in the vegetable crisper of the refrigerator; this will keep leaves from drying.
What to do with kale after you pick it?
After harvest, store properly.
You should try and consume your kale harvest within two weeks of cutting your leaves off the plant. To store properly, follow the following steps: Wash all harvested leaves thoroughly with cold water (hot/warm water will make them wilt!), being sure to remove any debris.
What do you do with an abundance of kale from the garden?
5 Ways to Eat Kale – or what to do with the rest of the bag of…
- Toss it with Pasta. Kale and pasta go together beautifully.
- Serve it in a Salad. Chop it up and toss it in with other salad veggies.
- Add Kale to Scrambled Eggs.
- Make Kale Chips.
- Easy Kale Skillet Side Dish.
Does kale come back every year?
Although kale is normally grown as an annual plant, it is actually a biennial, which means it has a two-year life cycle. In its first growing season, your kale plant will produce lots of leafy green foliage. In USDA hardiness zones 7 through 10, it will keep producing new leaves throughout the winter.
Will kale grow back after cutting?
During harvest, remove any discolored leaves to encourage the growth of new, healthy leaves. New leaves should grow within a week at most.
How do you preserve fresh picked kale?
Refrigerator: You can store a fresh bunch or bunches of kale in the fridge’s crisper drawer. Before storing, wipe away excess moisture, wrap the kale leaves in a paper towel, and place them in a plastic bag. Kale bunches will last a week in the fridge.
Is it better to freeze kale raw or cooked?
Blanching kale before freezing prevents the leaves from turning bitter, helps maintain their color and extends storage life. Blanched kale can be frozen for up to 6 months. To blanch kale, bring a large pot of water to a boil and fill a large bowl with ice water.
Can I freeze fresh kale?
Kale can be frozen without blanching but should be used within 4 weeks. Blanching greens before freezing stops the naturally-occurring ripening enzymes in the leaves. This will ensure that the leaves taste fresh and will not develop a bitter taste. Blanched kale will last up to 1 year in the freezer.
How do you store kale for the winter?
All it takes is a quick blanch and a couple ofsteps in the freezer.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to boil and prepare a large bowl of ice water.
- Dry the blanched kale thoroughly using a salad spinner or paper towels, then freeze the dry leaves flat on a rimmed baking sheet until frozen solid, 1 to 2 hours.
What do you do with kale in the winter?
Depending where you live, winter kale can be left in the open garden or grown in a season extender like a cold frame, mini hoop tunnel, or greenhouse. And the best part is that kale is an easy-to-grow green that forms beautiful, productive plants.
How long can you leave kale in the garden?
Kale will grow for up to 2 years in your garden. The first year of growth gives you plenty of delicious leaves. In the second year, your plants will focus on producing seeds. Grow your kale as annuals if you just want leaves from your plants.
How many years can a kale plant live?
2-year
A biennial (2-year) plant, kale produces leaves in the first year, and then, in the next year (or sometimes late in the first year), it will form a flower stalk. The stalk forms flowers and then seeds. Once the seeds mature, the plant dies.
How many times can you harvest kale?
After the first harvest, you can come back for more when the leaves have grown to about the size of an adult hand. Depending on your growing zone and the time of year, you can gather new greens every one to two weeks.
What happens if you cut the top off kale?
Cut back several mature plants in spring.
As noted above, lopping off the top of a mature kale plant encourages vigorous new growth. These small leaves will provide enough greens for late winter or early spring salads while you await the next crop’s tender bounty.
Can kale be over winter?
Certain crops such as broccoli, cabbage, claytonia, kale, and spinach can easily survive through the winter without any protection.
Should kale be stored wet or dry?
Dry as much as you can: Lay a clean kitchen towel or a couple of sheets of paper towels out on the kitchen counter. Scatter the leaves in a single layer, top with another clean towel, and roll like a jelly roll.
Should I wash kale before storing?
To store kale in the refrigerator:
Wash the kale by adding the kale leaves to a bowl of clean cold water and swish it around a little bit. Let it site for 10-15 minutes to remove any dirt of grit. You will then want to drain the kale from the water and remove any excess moisture by running it through a salad spinner.
Can you freeze kale without blanching?
You can freeze kale without blanching, but plan to use it within four to six weeks. Unblanched kale may develop a bitter flavor because you haven’t stopped the action of the naturally-occurring ripening enzymes in the leaves.
Does freezing kale destroy nutrients?
Fiber, minerals and fat-soluble nutrients such as beta-carotene and vitamin K are not easily destroyed by blanching or freezing, so just like fresh kale, frozen kale is loaded with these nutrients.
How do you dry kale after washing?
In a colander: You can wash a hearty bunch of kale leaves in a colander. Let them sit under cold running water as you rub the leaves to remove any clumps of dirt. You can pat the kale dry with paper towels or a clean dishcloth, or you can use a salad spinner to dry kale leaves.
How do you dry kale?
Lay the leaves on your dehydrator trays in a single layer. Set the temperature for 125-130 degrees Fahrenheit. The leaves should take 4-7 hours to dry completely, depending on the humidity and conditions in your home. Make sure the leaves and stems are 100% completely dry before storing to prevent molding and spoilage.