Dino Kale

Dinosaur Kale, also known as black kale, or in Latin, Lacinato kale has a rich tradition in Italian cuisine, more specifically in Tuscany. The vegetable has been grown in Tuscany for centuries. The most popular dishes that comprise Dino Kale are Ribollita and Minestrone. 

 

Black Kale’s famous name Dinosaur Kale resembles dinosaur skin which is why the vegetable is nicknamed this way. 

 

The texture and the color of the vegetable are the reasons why the gardeners are drawn to it. 

 

Kingdom: Plantae

Order: Brassicales

Family: Brassicaceae

Genus: Brassica

Species: B. oleracea

Binomiall name: Brassica oleracea

Dino Kale Trivia

• Dino Kale was recorded in Thomas Jefferson’s garden in Monticello in 1777

 

• Dino Kale is very resistant to cold weathers, and the taste is even better if the vegetable survives the frost

 

• Kale can be found in many different skincare products and nail polish.

Dino Kale Buying Guide

The best place to buy Dino Kale is well-stocked produce markets.

 

You should look carefully for the right color of the plant. They should either be black-green or dark blue-green.

 

Try to choose those leaves that are no more than 18 inches long. They get a sharper taste when they grow too much. 

 

The stems should be freshly cut, avoid dried out, browned, and slimy Dino Kale.

 

You may want to choose between wide and narrow leaves in kale, including leafy greens such as dinosaur kale, palm tree kale, Italian kale, Lacinato kale, and Tuscan kale, as they both have their uses. If you’d like to cook the whole kale, the narrow one such as Lacinato kale or Tuscan kale is the better option.

Dino Kale Production & Farming in Texas

Fall and winter is the best time to grow your Dino Kale in Texas. As I’ve said, the cold weather will bring the best taste out of the vegetable.

 

You can also plant Dino Kale as a decorative winter plant because of its interesting looking leaves.

 

California ranked first as they had the highest production of kale in the United States. Texas came in fourth. 

 

Try picking out a spot where your kale will acquire direct sunlight.

 

Pesticides

 

Kale goes into a category of one of the most contaminated vegetables. The vegetable is in the “Dirty Dozen” list and around 92% of Kale consisted of at least two pesticide residues. You should probably consider buying organic Kale because of this.

 

Geography

 

The vegetable’s “roots” date back to the 18th century in Tuscany, Italy. Because of its texture, color, and the striking appearance, people have cultivated the vegetable all over the world for their different purposes. 

 

The vegetable requires cool temperature, and preferably, moist soil. Fertilize along the rows every six to eight weeks. Cut individual leaves when the plant is between eight to ten inches high. 

 

Packaging

 

Kale is usually sent to stores in cartons, bushel baskets, and crates. They’re usually sold in small plastic bags.

Enjoying Dino Kales

As a very versatile vegetable, including varieties like dinosaur kale, Lacinato kale, and Tuscan kale, you can use kale in pretty much anything. Just like any green, it can be thrown into a salad, or eaten raw.

It can be even transformed into tasty kale chips. The vegetable’s crunchy texture allows it to be a great snack to dip into a sauce. 

You can pair it with nuts, throw it into a soup, put it in a burger, make it into a smoothie, saute it, or use it as a burrito shell.

 

Storage

 

Don’t forget to wash Dino Kale as soon as you buy it from farmer’s markets or harvest it. Chop the vegetable before washing. After that, wrap it in a paper towel and place the kale in a small plastic bag before putting it in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator. The vegetable can store for up to several days.

 

Cooking

 

Sauteed dinosaur kale, lacinato kale, black kale, or black cabbage is probably the most popular way to showcase your vegetable in delicious recipes. Drizzle some olive oil over the cooked dishes and sprinkle with parmesan cheese and lemon zest to give it an extra zing.

 

The first step is to heal olive oil in a large saute pan and cook over medium heat. Throw in the garlic and cook until it is soft.

 

Throw the vegetable of your choice in and set the heat to high. Cover the pan and cook for between five and seven minutes. The leaves need to be wilted and soft. Remove the cover and cook for another one to two minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Serve and enjoy.

 

Nutrition

Dino Kales are also a great source of:

• Vitamins A & C
• Calcium
• Iron

Dino Kales have a few health benefits and some of them are:

• Anti-cancer properties
• Bone development
• Reduce inflammation
• Good vision
• Healthy immune system

 

When Are Dino Kale in Season in Texas?