A few years back, everyone thought that kale would just be a passing fad. It was popular and it was everywhere! You could find the leafy green stuff in farmer’s markets, gourmet stores, and pop-up juice bars.
If you thought that kale was just a passing fad (and admittedly, we did, too), well, this hardy cousin of the lettuce has proven all of us wrong! It has proven that it has staying power and today, you can find fresh kale almost year-round in your local grocery store.
However, even if you could find it more easily, the trick is keeping kale fresh. No one wants to spend money on a crisp bundle of fresh kale, only to have it wilt and dry out within a few days! We want you to be able to enjoy your kale for as long as possible, so here’s an easy guide on how to preserve kale and keep it delicious, crisp, and green.
How long can you keep fresh kale in the refrigerator?
In the fridge, you can keep kale fresh for around 7 days before the hardy greens will start wilting. Of course, this is provided that you take the proper steps in preserving your kale properly.
How do you keep kale crisp?
The key to keeping kale crisp is making sure that you provide enough moisture around the kale to keep it from drying out.
Before storing the kale in your fridge, get two pieces of thick paper towels. Moisten the paper towels and squeeze out any excess moisture. You need the paper towels to be damp but not sopping wet.
Sandwich the kale between damp paper towels and wrap them up tightly.
Find an air-tight container such as a Tupperware or a Ziplock plastic bag. Place the kale inside and store them in your fridge.
Should kale be refrigerated?
Yes, kale should be refrigerated for storage. The best place in your fridge would be a vegetable crisper if you have it, but if you don’t, look for the coldest available part.
How do you keep kale fresh longer?
In order to keep the kale fresh, you need to replace the moist paper towels every couple of days. This ensures hydration, thus ensuring freshness.
Can you freeze raw kale?
Yes, you can freeze kale! If you plan to use it within 4-6 weeks, you can freeze it directly after rinsing the kale and patting them dry. However, if you’re going to store it for longer, make sure to blanch the kale quickly to help preserve the nutrients.
Make sure to blanch the leaves separately from the stems. Remember, kale stems are hardy and fibrous so they need to be blanched a little bit longer compared to the leaves.
How do you wash and store kale?
After taking home fresh kale, you need to wash them to remove any dirt or dust from the surface of the leaves. Simply place the leaves under cold running water and scrub the surfaces gently. Make sure not to tear or bruise the leaves!
There you have it! You can have fresh, delicious kale that you can use in your soups, salads, and even smoothies for weeks after buying the greens from the market. For fresh kale, you can make crisp kale chips as a healthy snack. For thawed kale, you can add it to a delicious kale and leek rice casserole.
Do you have any more tips on how to store kale? Let us know in the comments!
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