Red Russian Kale -This kale is cold hardy with bright purple stems with slate green, oak shaped foliage. Leaves are tender and smooth compared with other kales and very sweet. Popular ingredient in baby leaf salad mixes, especially in late summer, or steamed and stir fried.
Red Russian Kale has a sweet mild flavor with frilly side leaves which resemble the leaves of an oak tree. It is chewy, juicy and thick and can lose flavor after a frost. Even after cooking fully, it is still chewy. It has tinges of reddish purple or green and purple veined leaves.
History
In about 1885, Russian Kale was brought from Siberia by Russian traders into Canada. Ever since, this plant has been thrived as a hard plant.
Purpose/Use
The leaves turn green when cooked. It is very tasty with full of flavor. It can be eaten in various ways by sauteing, stir fried, baked or used in salads, when very tender. It can be eaten on its own or mixed with other ingredients.
Benefits & Features
It is full of nutritional value and is said to prevent degenerative eye sight and mascular system in old age. It is full of calcium, vitamin A, K, C, beta carotene, zeazanthin and lutein. It is also a powerful anti-oxidant. Red Russian Kale thrives in a 10 degree temperature, growing up to 18 to 36 inches in height.
