Red Russian Kale

Kale is one of those true ‘superfoods’ that isn’t all marketing spin, and is something we can grow right here in the UK. We sow at least four different types, each with its own advantages, although you can put any of them in your smoothie if you’re that way inclined! 

Why is it that a lot of plant varieties with ‘red’ in their name are actually purple?
This is one of the questions our growers often ponder and Red Russian is a case in point, its stems and veins being far more lilac than scarlet. Complaints of colourblindness aside, we love Red Russian as its flat, toothed leaves can be harvested when small for our salad mix and when they reach full size, never become leathery, wilting down more like perpetual spinach than tougher kales. This means it’s the one to use if you want your dose of greens to somewhat disappear, whether into a filling (from calzone to quiche) or by adding to dishes (from ramen and korma to beany stews), just before serving.