Crazy For Kale!

Delicious Kale from Sweet Georgia P’s

When we were thinking about signing up for a CSA, I’d heard horror stories from a friend about all this kale that they got and didn’t know what to do with!  But we thought, well, we can’t plant our raised bed this year because of Poppy’s digging and we thought it would be a fun way to try some new vegetables.

We have loved doing our CSA with Sweet Georgia P’s and have found some great new vegetables – like tomatillos, husk cherries and different squash varieties.  Their organic eggs are also amazing – they are so fluffy and flavorful.  We’ve found that we actually love kale and have some great recipes for you to try at home!

Our CSA with Sweet Georgia P’s ends in two weeks and I’m very sad about this.  There was a great variety of vegetables (not just kale) and the produce is so fresh.  We learned so many new recipes and Conor discovered so many vegetables he LOVES- small sweet peppers (he eats right out of the carton), husk cherries and all tomatoes are consumed by the fistful.  We are definitely signing up for another share next year.  If you’re local, I hope you think about it as well.  I know they are going to start signing up for next season soon.

My very crafty neighbor has an amazing Sausage and Kale Soup recipe.  Here it is below:

Sausage and Kale soup simmering on the hob.

Hearty Sausage and Kale Soup

Saute:
– any sausage (sliced into 1″  or so size) that you like –  I usually use Kielbasa
– sliced/chopped onions
– garlic

     
–  Then add Kale,  chopped (it will cook  WAY down   –  like spinach does)  and canned tomatoes

Bring to a boil and then simmer until Kale is tender, this could take quite a while (strip the Kale from the stems using just the green leafy part).  If you need more liquid you can add more tomatoes, or stock/broth, or water.

When the Kale is edible …..   you can add:

– canned beans (I like to add kidney beans, but you could also do cannellini beans).    
–  hot sauce to taste, Frank’s is the best. (optional)

You can also add potatoes and carrots.   The kale is a little bitter so my friend likes to add a little brown sugar and cider vinegar.

Ladle into bowls and top with grated cheese. Serve with warm hearty bread.

Dinner is served!

The soup offers a kind of sweet and sour taste and it is delicious.  Our whole family loves it!

Great to sop up the soup with bread

Another great recipe is from Sweet Georgia P’s. Kale Chips!  Conor loves them as do Luke and I.  John, my picky 5 year old, can’t get passed the green color.

Sweet Georgia P’s Kale Chips
Ingredients: