Kale, Cavolo Nero Di Toscana Precoce, Tuscan Kale, Lacinato Kale

CavoloNero Di Toscana Precoce, Tuscan Kale, Lacinato Kale  Early.  Tuscan Black Kale.  The only kale grown in Italy.  Wrinkled dark green (almost black) leaves with smooth edge.  Produces a consistent supply of new leaves from the top. 60 days

Characteristics of Tuscan Kale

Cavolo Nero is a leafy type of cabbage that doesn't form round, compact heads, but rather resembles palm fronds, with very dark green, almost black, leaves that can be up to a yard (a meter) long, have pronounced ribs, and whose surfaces have a distinctive ruffled appearance.

One cup of Tuscan kale contains considerably more than 50 percent of the minimum recommended daily allowances of vitamins K, A, and C, with lesser but still significant amounts of manganese, copper, fiber, calcium, iron, B vitamins, vitamin E, and many other nutrients. It is also rich in antioxidants and is thought to help prevent a variety of health problems.  Finally, it's both filling and low in calories, just 19 to 26 calories per 100 grams (1/4 pound), which leads Italian doctors to recommend it to those who want to lose weight.

In Italy, Tuscan kale is generally labeled cavolo nero, though you can also find it identified as cavolo toscano, cavolo palmizio, or cavolo a penna, while agricultural treatises mention specific cultivars, for example cavolo nero fiorentino, cavolo riccio nero di toscana, and cavolo riccio nero di Lucca. It is an essential ingredient in many classic Tuscan recipes, such as RIBOLLITA