Do you know what this is?
This, my friends, is Kale. Kale is a very scary looking and sounding green vegetable, but I’m dreadfully attached to it now. While it’s not that popular now, most people in their 80s are probably quite familiar with it, as it was a staple during World War II.
Kale was included in the Dig for Victory campaign as a vegetable that was easy to grow and provided important nutrients to supplement meagre diets during rationing.
Amazingly it looks like it’s trying to make a comeback in Britain, so I want to see it make a come back here in the US as well! I think with the current lack of vegetables in our diet, Americans need to start eating something like this… I mean, check it out:
It retains the rich mixture of vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants that made it a vital ingredient in keeping the nation healthy in troubled times.
There is a growing body of evidence showing those raised on a wartime diet, where many fatty and sugary foods were either unavailable or rationed, were considerably healthier and fitter than their modern-day counterparts.
“What vitamins and minerals does Kale contain,” you’re asking yourself… I can tell. So, let’s find out, shall we? Here is the nutrition for one cup of chopped Kale (according to Fitday):
Calories – 33.5
Total Fat – 0.5g
Cholesterol 0mg
Sodium 28.81mg
Potassium – 299.49mg
Total Carbohydrate – 6.71g
Dietary Fiber – 1.34g
Protein – 2.21g
Vitamin A – 119 %
Vitamin C – 134 %
Calcium – 9 %
Iron – 6 %
Vitamin E – 1 %
Thiamin – 4 %
Riboflavin – 4 %
Niacin – 3 %
Folate – 5 %
Vitamin B-5 – 1 %
Vitamin B-6 – 9 %
Phosphorus – 4 %
Magnesium – 6 %
Zinc – 2 %
Copper – 10 %
Is that not incredible? It also contains so much Vitamin K it’s scary! This is one of the best veggies on the planet and amazingly almost no one I’ve talked to around here knows what it is. Kale tastes similar to cabbage… more like “greens” such as mustard or collard, just more earthy. One of my favorite ways to serve it is sautéed in Olive Oil (about 3 tablespoons per bunch of Kale… dash with salt and pepper, cook for about 4 minutes) and paired with chicken.
If you see it in your local grocery store, pick it up… give it a chance! Let’s bring back Kale!!