Re: cavolo nero?

Joynson, Carol wrote:
> I grow it here in LA (in the hills between Pasadena and Glendale -
> low 40s to 107, at any time of year, it seems).  It grows readily
> from seed.
>
> Some surprising culture notes: After a work-related watering issue, I
> discovered that the plant is pretty drought tolerant, probably the
> deep roots. Also, in L.A., it (and a lot of its cabbagy brethren)
> overwinters, and continues to grow and overwinter....

>
> The leaves are delicious with olive oil and garlic.  I wash the
> leaves, don't shake them dry, toss in a pan where I've heated some
> hot olive oil and garlic and put the lid on to trap the steam.  Turn
> the fire down and let stream and sizzle, covered, 'til the moisture
> is gone. It's perfect for beans and greens.

Carol
I must look out for this interesting plant. I usually reckon any vegetable which will succeed in California will grow successfully for me. I tend to avoid the really cold-weather kales like Red Russian though, as they only develop a good sweetness after a heavy frosting such as we almost never get here. Your recommendation of a kale which can grow through a mild winter and also have good flavour sounds just right to me. Its size doesn't worry me, I have plenty of room in the winter veg garden for such large and decorative fancies and rather like the sound of it.

I was also interested in your very simple cooking method, which I can well imagine being both quick and easy for a number of types of greens and also delicious. i have used something quite similar for cabbage, but have perhaps not been adventurous enough so far.

Moira
--
Tony & Moira Ryan,
Wainuiomata, North Island, NZ.     Pictures of our garden at:-
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/cherie1/Garden/TonyandMoira/index.htm
NEW PICTURES ADDED 4/Feb/2004

Other Mailing lists | Author Index | Date Index | Subject Index | Thread Index