Every month, Heavy Petal collaborates with Willowtree — a website for those with food sensitivities who want to find their culinary bliss — to bring you a celebration of an in-season edible. I’ll tell you how to grow it; they’ll tell you how to eat it. Yay!
If you haven’t already succumbed to kale’s seductions, now is the time to try it. This hardy, healthy leafy green can be found in gardens and markets throughout the fall and winter, and the Willowtree gals recommend trying it in a smoothie.
If the idea of a kale smoothie makes your gag reflex spasm, I do understand. Until very recently, I’d be right there with you, running for the bag of refined sugar. But then I tried this recipe, and not only is it tolerable, it’s good. I especially appreciate the license I feel it’s given me to eat like crap for the rest of the day.
Kale Smoothie
Cook Time: 10 mins
Makes: 2 cups
Ingredients:
2 cups organic kale (ribs removed)
1/2 banana
1 apple (peeled & chopped)
1” piece of ginger, chopped
1/2 tsp raw organic agave syrup
1/2 cup almond milk
Method: Add all ingredients to food processor or blender; set on high and blend until smooth.
How to grow kale
Kale should be a staple of every healthy-food-lover’s garden. It’s attractive, easy to grow, and frost tolerant (so makes a great winter-garden crop!). Plant in early spring and again in midsummer, harvesting outer leaves as the plants reach 4 in. (10cm) tall. Kale likes full sun and rich, fertile soil (though it will tolerate a little shade). Help it along with a nitrogen-rich organic fertilizer such as fish fertilizer. Kale will overwinter in all but the coldest climates; harvest all winter, then eat the flowers that emerge in spring. My favourite kales are ‘Lacinato’ (aka Black Tuscan, or Dinosaur kale) and ‘Red Russian.’
I was immediately skeptical but your tasting notes are a bit reassuring.
I love kale.
I absolutely adore Kale. It’s a shame I never ate it as a child, I think I would have liked it. I liked spinach growing up. Kale was always served as garnish on a plate though, no one wanted to actually eat it. I love using Kale in my green smoothies too. It’s healthy and delicious and makes a good base for fruit flavors. This is a great recipe, I will be planting come Spring.
Hi Andrea,
I just wanted to tell you I often read your blog and I find it refreshing! I love this simple concept between you and the sisters of Willowtree that brings together growing food easily and make delicious recipes with them.
Ok. Tomorrow I’m trying this fabulous kale drink! But I think my kids will find it a bit too green…
Just saw on Pinterest BAKED KALE CHIPS!! they look fabulous! I ran out bought Kale but have yet to make it. That will be for later tonite or tomorrow! super easy!
This is a great idea, very innovative. Thanks for the information and the piece of advice.
Why not try to put a bit of garden inside your house? all organic, promise! This is very fashionable in Europe for its style and its ‘green-ness’.
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Kale is supposed to be one of the healthiest things you could ever eat. It’s right up there with pomegranate. I heart kale! Never knew it was so easy to grow. Thanks for the smoothie recipe! It sounds delicious.
this is a random comment, but i bought your book before reading your blog and i have to say, amazing work on both, beautiful photography and great information, ive always had a garden with my mum,but this year i have my own house and own lawn.. so with your book in hand ill be cheerfully digging and planting come spring! keep up the great work :) I feel i should say something about kale. have you ever had dehydrated kale chips? amazing and healthy
I am a recent convert to kale as well. I make a smoothie in the morning for breakfast that includes:
1 cup unsweetened almond milk
1 scoop vanilla protein powder
2 tbsp ground flax
1/2 cup frozen blueberries
4 sliced frozen strawberries
2 cups kale
It’s wonderful and you can’t even taste the kale!
Great recipe! Nutritious and looks yummy too, I’ll try this one for sure, thanks for this post!