Kale, << kayl, >> is a vegetable somewhat like cabbage but with loose, curly leaves instead of a head. These leaves are boiled or steamed and eaten alone or mixed with potatoes. Kale is also called borecole and colewort. Dwarf kale plants grow about 12 to 15 inches (30 to 38 centimeters) high, while the tall-stem type may reach a height of 24 to 30 inches (61 to 76 centimeters). Kale is grown from seed and thrives in cool weather. In the United States, most of the kale crop matures in fall.
Farmers store the grown plant, with soil attached, in cold frames or hotbeds (see Cold frame ; Hotbed ). The leaves stay green and juicy for several months. Kale has additional value because it is a green vegetable available during winter. Kale provides one of the best sources of vitamins A, B-complex, and C.
