Kale, oh kale, how we love your leafy greens. Theyre the superfood superstar that somehow made it from farmers markets to Mickey Ds, bringing a whole slew of beloved salads, soups, chips, and juices along for the ride.
But despite all that kale-leaf love, most kale recipes suggest you de-stem the sturdy greens by slicing along the thick middle stalk, use only the (relatively) more tender leaf, and toss the stems into the compost bin. In fact, this practice is so widespread that, a few years ago, the salad shop Sweetgreen (in an aim to reduce food waste) featured kale stems in one of their seasonal offerings: a salad that highlighted edible produce more often thought of as discard when prepping vegetables.
When I first heard of that Sweetgreen initiative, I was a bit surprised. “Dont most people eat the stems?” I asked naively. Apparently not. That firmer middle section is usually tossed aside.
Well, no more! Because for all their crunch, those stems are just as delicious as the leafy greens they bind together. And while its true you might not want to use them in a raw massaged kale salad, they have tons of applications, and you can cook—or not cook—them in just as many ways. Here are a few of our favorites:
Unlike mature kale, baby kale requires less cooking time and no need to remove its stems, making it a popular choice for busy home cooks looking to add a nutritious and flavor-packed option to their meals. Baby kale is a highly versatile and nutritious ingredient used in various dishes.
Purée kale stems into a dip
No reason to break open a can of beans when you have leftover stems around. Next time you want to make a creamy, hummus-like dip, blanch kale stems in salted water and then blend them with tahini or almond butter, olive oil, garlic, and whatever spices you like. Or blend them with yogurt or sour cream, plus mayo, avocado, and herbs for a green goddess take.
Poach kale stems in soup
Making vegetable soup? Chop up those kale stems and add them into the mix. Whether you are keeping it chunky, minestrone-style, or making a creamy purée, this vegetable will add a nice, earthy flavor.
This shows how to easily and quickly remove kale leaves from stems. | Cooking Hack
FAQ
Do you eat the stems on baby kale?
Should I remove the stems from kale?
Are kale stalks good for you?
Should I blend kale with the stem?
How do you remove Kale stems?
There are two ways you can remove the stems. My favorite way is with a chef’s knife. But if you’re a beginner cook and not as comfortable using a knife, a leaf stripper is a nifty tool that makes removing the stems so easy! And you’ll need to treat curly kale differently than Tuscan kale.
Which is the best way to eat Kale?
Kale is a high-fiber cruciferous vegetable like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower and cabbage. These vegetables can cause gas and bloating or general digestive discomfort, especially in individuals who are just beginning to eat high-fiber cruciferous vegetables. Cooking kale, rather than eating it raw, and using recipes that call for lemon may reduce digestive side effects. Also effective in reducing gas and bloating is eating one-half teaspoon of fennel seeds(toasted, raw, or candied) after a meal when you experience gas or bloating. Drinking water after consuming a high fiber meal is recommended to help fiber pass through the digestive tract. Tuscan kale (also known as lacinato or dinosaur kale) is easier to incorporate into the diet, tastes better than other types of kale, and can be eaten raw or cooked. Kale is a nutritious high-fiber dark green vegetable that will upgrade any diet.
How do you save Kale stems?
As any good kale devotee knows, the best way to enjoy it is to strip the leaves off the tough, fibrous stems. I do this, but it results in a surplus of stems, which I hate to throw away. Instead, I’ve found that a little tender love and care can save kale stems from the trash (or compost !) and make them into a delicious meal.
Can you strip Kale leaves from slender stems?
The trick was perfect when it came to stripping the leaves from varieties of kale with slender stems. There is one caveat for this hack, though: For kale leaves with thicker stems, you might have some trouble getting the stem through the loop, depending on the width of the loop or the thickness of the stem.