HOW TO STORE KALE TO KEEP IT BRIGHT AND SPRINGY
How to store Kale to keep it bright and springy
It won’t make you happy to eat more greens. After all, kale is very healthy, and it has been a popular food for a while now because it is packed with nutrients. But if you don’t like the taste, it can go bad in the fridge and we can all do our part to reduce food waste.
To make kale even tastier, start by choosing the freshest bunches you can find in the supermarket. Look for kale with bright colors and spring leaves. Most varieties of kale will be green or purple in color. They should be strong and soft, without yellow or brown color. Avoid bunches that are weak, shriveled and avoid kale with black spots.
Choosing the right kale is only half the battle. Here’s how to store kale when you get home.
How to Store Fresh Kale
First things first: wash your hands, then wash and dry your kale. Too much water can make kale go bad quickly, so make sure you rinse it thoroughly before proceeding. Fresh kale should be refrigerated, so if you don’t plan to use it right away, you should store it in the refrigerator. Place the clean, dry kale in a plastic storage bag or food storage bag that can be fitted with a lid. A bag is good because you can let all the air out. An option to consider is to wrap the head of kale in a paper towel before placing it in a bag or container – this will help absorb any moisture. Put it in the vegetable drawer of your fridge. If your fridge doesn’t have one, put kale in the back of the fridge or invest in some produce. This storage method should give you up to a week to use your kale before it starts to rot.
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How to store Kale leaves
If pre-storing is part of your meal prep routine, you can follow similar steps to store kale. Slicing kale before washing can also help remove some of the bitterness.
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First, remove the stem. To do this, just f a kale leaf in half and use a sharp knife to cut the stem. Next, cut the kale leaves to the desired size. Drain the kale thoroughly in a colander or bowl before transferring to a salad spinner. Dry it well for a few minutes before storing the kale in a plastic bag or airtight container. Like a bunch of kale, you can line the bag with paper towels to help absorb moisture, and you’ll have about a week to use your kale leaves.
Can you freeze kale?
The best way to store kale is to freeze it. Chopped pieces of kale work better than whole heads, so you’ll want to remove the leaves and cut them into small pieces, then rinse and dry well before freezing.
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Once you’re ready to freeze, cover a baking sheet with parchment paper and sprinkle the kale pieces on top. Place the tray in the freezer for about two hours. Once the kale is frozen, you can transfer it to a freezer bag or freezer storage bag and label it with date. Frozen vegetables don’t technically expire, but frozen kale stays fresh when used within six months.
Many recipes call for frozen tops, so thawing them is not always necessary. If you want to thaw your frozen kale, simple transfer it to your refrigerator overnight. When you’re in a hurry, soaking a bag of frozen kale in cold water is a quick way to thaw it.
Once thawed, you can do many things with kale. Toss a little kale into a salad: Kale and Chicken Caesar Salad is always delicious. Or add salt and pepper for a few minutes to make smoked kale chips. You can also add kale to green smoothies, soups, hummus, juices and pestos. If you find that your kale is too bitter, massaging it for a few minutes should reduce some of the bitterness.
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