Thursday 17 October 2013

Cavolo Nero

Cavolo Nero (literally "black cabbage") is one of my favourite brassicas. Actually, "cabbage" is a misnomer, because this plant is really more of a kale. It certainly lends itself to the "cut and come again" principle of harvesting which is normally used in respect of kale - and this is exactly what I have been doing just recently. I seldom harvest a whole plant, but instead pick a few leaves from several.


Back in the Summer I conducted an extensive battle against hordes of white butterflies, and the tatty state of my Cavolo Nero is testament to the fact that the campaign ended with some successes on both sides!

Anyway, as long as you don't look too closely, the Cavolo Nero is just fine - it doesn't need to look pristine, and the presence of a few holes won't alter its flavour.


One of the reasons why I picked Cavolo Nero this week is that our daughter Fiona is staying with us for a few days, and she just loves this vegetable. (You may remember that last year I posted her recipe for Kale chips...)


The leaves in my pictures above went into making one of our favourite kale recipes - Pasta in creamy garlic sauce with Cavolo Nero. If you are interested in reading about it, please follow this link to an old post of mine, in which you will find the recipe. Cavolo Nero recipe

In my garden, Cavolo Nero is treated as an Autumn crop. It bridges the gap between the Summer thingslike beans, tomatoes and cucumbers and the Winter things like Parsnips, Radicchio and Brussels Sprouts. It is pretty hardy though and will survive even the harshest Winters in the UK.

If you are a regular reader of my blog you will know that this year I have grown two varieties of Cavolo Nero - one generic one and one named variety ("Black Magic"). I have to say that the Black Magic one seems far superior, in my opinion. Taste-wise it is hard for me to say which is best, since we have eaten the two mixed together, but appearance-wise, and in terms of vigour it wins easily.

16 comments:

  1. I love cavolo nero, unfortunately the white fly love it too. My plants are always covered with the things. Do yours suffer with it?

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    1. Jo, my Cavolo Nero has not suffered much from Whitefly - they seem to prefer the PSB. But the Cabbage White butterflies love it!

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  2. This is one veg I've yet to try but do so want to based on your posts. Maybe next year.

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  3. I had the most amazing kale ceasar salad when I was away last we in the states. each leaf was massaged by hand to tenderise it and tossed in a light ceasar dressing with shavings of sharp cheddar. really simple and tenderly delicious!

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    1. Hand-massaged kale must be on a par with Wagyu beef!

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  4. My Kale was well & truly decimated earlier on in the year along with my other winter/spring brassicas. Such a shame as I was looking forward to homemade Kale chips.

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  5. First time I've grown Cavolo Nero (generic version I think) and am really pleased- I love the look and enjoy the taste! I shall enjoy trying your pasta recipe!

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  6. Not sure if I love your kale Mark. I've never had it before, but I would be curious to try some if it's available in Germany.

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  7. We haven't grown this for a while and like Jo when we did whitefly was a problem.

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  8. I certainly grow kale, but I've never grown cavolo nero. I wonder if it would survive our winters here.

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  9. Our favourite photogenic veg Mark! The Cabbage Whites had a real go at them and the PSB on my plot to, but they both seem to have weathered the storm. I've left off cutting my CN until smaller but less holey leaves have formed and now adding them into all sorts of dishes.A lovely veg.
    This year I've also grown Red Ursa and Scarlet kales. The Ursa seems less susceptible to pests and is quite a tender texture and has a good flavour.Not sure about the Scarlet thought.Maybe it's one of those veg you eat when there's nothing better ....? We'll see.

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  10. I know this kale, but I have never planted it before. The seeds must be imported from UK or Aussie. It's so difficult to find the seed. Imported seeds usually expensive and very rare, also must be order first.

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  11. Is this different than Dino Kale (common name in the USA)? They look similar to me. My friends and I often joke that its impossible to kill kale, so it's a good thing we all like it.

    KK @ Preppy Pink Crocodile

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    1. Yes, it is the same. Have a look at this on Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lacinato_kale

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  12. I've never heard of this vegetable, thanks for introducing it to me. Does it taste like kale? Can you make chips out of it?

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    1. "Yes" to both questions. In the post there is a link to my daughter's Kale Chips recipe.

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