Each week on Munch Monster we’re going to feature a fruit, vegetable, herb, and anything else that catches the eye or palette that is in season. We’ll share with you the season each item thrives in, as well as recipes and ideas for using the fruit or vegetable. You’ll even find some items that are in season year round, or for lengthy periods of time, featured here.
This week’s seasonal item: Kale
Season: Winter.
Kale has a long history of being a staple green vegetable for mankind. It enjoyed a long stint in Europe during the Middle Ages as the most prolific green in the common diet. The leafy plant is a variety of cabbage and is quite hearty. It is not susceptible to many of the pests and ailments that afflict other cabbages.
While kale is not considered an elegant food by many, it does have the advantage of being ridiculously nutritious and versatile. Adding just a little bit to a soup will net you many vital nutrients for the day. And there’s something insanely comforting about braised kale being paired with something rich like bacon, duck fat, or an egg.
Most happy paired with: Potatoes, bacon, cheese, lemon, olive oil, garlic, cream, onions
Featured Recipe: Fried Egg With Boiled Swiss Chard (replace the chard with the kale)
