Dino Kale

The black-green foliage of this plant is nearly reptilian: deeply hued, rippled, and tough. Despite its rough appearance, it is extremely sweet and tender, a metaphor for our old dog, Kale. It was also Kale's favorite brassica, as it is for gardeners worldwide, who have given it many names: Lacinato, Cavolo Nero, Tuscan Kale, Palm Tree Kale, and Dinosaur Kale. A consistent, long-season garden companion, Dino Kale will never go extinct as long as you grow it each year.

While it isn't quite as cold hardy as its kale cousins, it usually survives most of the winter under a blanket of row cover and snow. The seed we sourced for this particular kale variety was selected after trialing several other sources, and we chose it for it hardiness, vigor, and broad leaves.

Use mature leaves in salads if marinated in an acidic dressing. The flavor is great in pasta dishes, or alone with garlic and olive oil.