To store Kale, wrap the leaves in a loose bundle with a paper towel or a thin cotton kitchen towel, place them in a large, sealable bag, and refrigerate in the crisper drawer for up to a week.

The leaves on the Lacinato Kale are so hearty that, even when well cooked, they retain a wonderful firm texture, making it a great choice for braising or adding to stews. Black kale is especially tender when young and often used as a salad green in mesclun mixes. The fully mature leaves are best when cooked, but require minimal cooking when compared to other kale varieties as the central rib not as as fibrous. Black kale may be steamed, braised, stewed, fried, sautéed, juiced and even baked like a chip. It is well complemented by combination of garlic, sesame, soy sauce and ginger. It is also great in hardy soups which contain smoked meats, potatoes, beans or barley. Other flavor affinities include, bay leaf, oregano, thyme, red pepper flake, nutmeg, shallots, onion, tomato, sweet potatoes, cheddar cheese, Parmesan, cream, roasted meats, chorizo sausage, pancetta and chicken

Kale is rich in antioxidants, and packed with vitamins A, E, K, and B, especially folate. It has a fair amount of protein and iron, and has more vitamin C than other leafy greens. It’s also high in fiber, and has more calcium, gram for gram, than a cup of milk.