Lacinato Kale – All You Need to Know | Instacart Guide to Fresh Produce

What is lacinato kale?

Lacinato kale is a leafy green, cruciferous vegetable that’s eaten raw or cooked and used in soups, salads, and baked into crispy kale chips. Some of its nicknames include dinosaur kale (because it resembles what dinosaur skin might’ve looked like), cavolo nero (which translates to “black cabbage” in Italian), and Italian or Tuscan kale. It’s a member of the cabbage family, hence, the name “black cabbage.”

Where did lacinato kale originate from?

Lacinato kale is an heirloom variety of kale that’s been consumed since ancient times. Kale is a descendant of the wild cabbage, much like cauliflower, broccoli, and collards. It’s thought to have originated in Asia Minor and was brought to Europe around 600 BCE by groups of Celtic wanderers.

Lacinato kale played a significant role in early European diets, and it was a pretty important crop during ancient Roman times. It was also eaten by peasants in the Middle Ages and brought to the United States in the 17th century by English settlers.

Ornamental and lacinato kale are the more recent varieties of the plant. Lacinato kale was discovered in the late 19th century in Italy. Now it’s eaten and grown all over the world.

What are the benefits of eating lacinato kale?

Kale is a nutrient-dense vegetable that offers tons of benefits.  But it’s also one of the most antioxidant-rich foods on the planet.

Lacinato kale can also provide lots of carotenoids, which have been known to help improve and maintain eye health.

How is lacinato kale grown?

Lacinato kale is grown like other types of kale. Since it’s a cool-season crop, sow lacinato kale 1 or 2 weeks before your last spring frost or 10 to 12 weeks before your first fall frost.

If you want, you can start seedlings inside about 6 weeks before transplanting. Transplant the seedlings before the weather warms up too much. Always harden them before putting them in the soil.

Place lacinato kale plants in full or partial sunlight with well-drained soil. Kale also does well in containers or raised beds. Either way, give the plants about 1in of water a week (and increase the watering during warmer weather).

Lacinato kale plants usually grow to about 2 or 3ft tall and have leaves that can stretch 2ft long. Leaves are ready to harvest in 65 to 80 days.

When is lacinato kale in season?

Lacinato kale is in season in the spring and fall, but you can get it all year round at your local grocery store or a specialty Italian market.

How do you pick lacinato kale at the grocery store?

When buying lacinato kale at the grocery store, look for dark bluish-green leaves. Make sure there are no brown spots or wilted edges and that the stem ends look recently cut. If they look dry or brown, that’s not a good sign. Smaller leaves are usually more tender, and their stems and ribs might need to be trimmed a little.

If you are looking to have your groceries delivered, you can easily shop for lacinato kale via Instacart. After adding a product to your cart, use the “Instructions” option to notify your Instacart shopper about any preferences or specific directions on how to choose the best products. Shop for lacinato kale.

How to store lacinato kale

When storing lacinato kale, dry the leaves and put them in a ziplock bag or grocery store produce bag. Store bunches of it in your fridge’s crisper drawer. In there, they’ll stay fresh for 5 to 7 days.

You can also can kale to preserve it. Use a brining solution or make pickled kale. If you want to pickle it, you’ll have to use a pressure canner or water bath. With the presser canner method, follow the instructions closely to ensure your safety.

Canning your lacinato kale can keep it edible for about a year (as long as you store it in a cool, dry place).

How to tell if lacinato kale is bad

You’ll know if your lacinato kale is bad if it’s wilted and has less moisture, the leaves are brown or greenish-yellow, or if the leaves are soggy and there’s liquid leaking from them.

You can also tell it’s bad if the earthy, green smell suddenly turns into a sulfurous stench that reminds you of rotten eggs. If that’s the case, chuck them immediately and go grab some more.

What can I substitute for lacinato kale?

Don’t have lacinato kale in the fridge? Don’t worry. There are a few substitutes that could work.

Lacinato kale can be substituted for:

• Regular kale
• Savoy cabbage
• Broccoli
• Broccoli rabe
• Spinach
• Lettuce
• Mache
• Gai lan
• Bok choy
• Collard greens
• Swiss chard

Choosing the freshest lacinato kale

Now that you’ve got an idea of how lacinato kale can be beneficial for you, you’re probably thinking about how to get some on your kitchen counter. If you’re fully convinced that it’s practically magic, get it delivered with Instacart and choose same-day delivery or same-day pickup.

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