Kale

Having a couple of kale plants in your garden can provide enough for a nice soup or substitute for dishes that would call for spinach. Full of nutrients and easy to grow, try to find a little room for Lacinato or Dwarf Blue Curled Scotch in a back row somewhere. Be careful, as they will want to take over the garden if given time. They are hearty plants that will live through the winter and it’s said taste better after the first frost. Other kales like Red Russian and True Siberian are also very good during cool weather but have a harder time during warm weather. All will make a fine fall or spring crop.

We have a nice Tuscan Bean Soup recipe that we enjoy throughout the year, as well as a Stromboli recipe that can be eaten fresh or make an extra to freeze. Also try a Kale Lasagna (you can use the filling for this lasagna in the Stromboli recipe).