ornamental kale = escarole

[Goldenrod]

I went shopping today and bought a lot of produce. I decided for a change to get some ornamental kale. The one I got was missing it's number tag, so the clerk asked me what is was and I told her, but that seemed to really throw her. Guess she'd never heard of such a thing. So she asked another employee what it was and they said in a very confident manner that it was escarole. :confused: I tried one more time to tell her it was kale, but she just went on and entered it and said how she'd been meaning to try some. Maybe when she goes to buy some and looks up she'll see the sign that says ornamental kale. :rolleyes:

[Autumn]

Well I've never seen/heard of/eaten ornamental kale, but I do know that I love escarole. I also know that I can't buy it in Alabama! :(

[Goldenrod]

Apparently it's also called Salad Savoy, though it's not labeled that where I shop.

Here's a blurb about it:

>Frilly kale leaves, flushed with fuchsia or white, add welcome color to winter salads. Originally planted for its looks alone, ornamental kale is also sold as an edible green in many supermarkets. It's called salad savoy.

The sturdy leaves hold up well in salads. Use the small tender leaves from the center raw, mixed with other greens, for a cool salad. Larger, tougher leaves are best wilted by a hot dressing, as in these salads. Brief heat softens the firm leaves slightly; overcooked, their color fades.<