CAVOLO NERO

[Mike Vogel]

This kale sounds like fun - another one for me to remember for when I retire and have more time.

Whitefly IS a nuissance, but I usually just bring the stuff home and soak it in salted water. Whitefly down the drain or into the compost heap [better].

mike

Never throw anything away.

[Colin_M]

I've been picking mine for a while, on a cut & come again basis. At the moment, most plants are only growing very slowly - here's a shot after I picked the big leaves at the weekend:


For those of you who have grown it before, what can we expect when things start warming up?
- Another month of so of leaves to pick?
- Or do the plants start to bolt, ending the harvest?


Colin

[Tigger]

Jamie Oliver, Sarah Raven and Chris Evans all have good recipes for this on their respective websites. We tried the Jamie one tonight, with a little cabbage added in for variety - lovely!

[alan refail]

Colin
What I do when it starts going to seed is what I do with all other kales: eat the main head before the flowers open, then any side flowers it puts out - just as good as the leaves and great in stir fry.

Alan

[Colin_M]

Colin
What I do when it starts going to seed ....

Thanks Alan - when do you reckon Cavolo Nero will start going to seed? Do you think I'll get many more leaves off it this year before that starts to happen?


Colin

[George Gray]

My allotment is plagued by pigeons but they don't touch the leaves of Caveolo Nero. They do however love the tender shoots produced in the early spring!

[Berlioz]

I grew it in England and my kids love it as 'crispy seaweed' al la Sarah Raven, deep fried with sugar,salt & nutmeg. I will be ordering some seed soon.

[Colin_M]

I will be ordering some seed soon.

Would you (or anyone else) like some? I have some available - see Seed Swap section for this & others.


Colin

[Berlioz]

Thanks for the offer Colin but I just found an unopened packet I had forgotten I had. (I'm a bit of a 'seedaholic' and also have a bad memory)