Introducing Kale Sprouts

by Dorothy Reinhold on February 26, 2013


Print This Post Print This Post Kale Sprouts on Shockingly Delicious

What would you get if you played mad scientist and crossed Russian Red Kale with Brussels sprouts?

The answer is Kale Sprouts, the newest, coolest green veggie to hit the produce section since that kooky looking Romanesco showed up and made us all wish we spent more time studying fractals.

Kale Sprouts on Shockingly DeliciousImagine, if you will, a long Brussels sprout stalk growing tall, with little florets of dark green-purple kale sprouting all over it. Russian Red Kale is a beautiful purple, so the color of these sprouts is stunning! They look like a tiny head of kale. They’re harvested when the first leaves of the plant have developed around a tiny, compact central head.

Kale Sprouts on Shockingly DeliciousHow to use:

  • Saute them with a hint of olive oil and a finishing pinch of sea salt (they don’t shrink down like typical greens do)
  • Roast them quickly in the oven. Chef Tom Fraker of Melissa’s Produce advises cutting them in half lengthwise and roasting them for about 5 minutes at 425ºF. “They come out a little crisp with roasted flavor. Awesome snack!” he reports.
  • Chop and mix with greens in a salad

Kale Sprouts 3 oz from Melissa's Produce on Shockingly DeliciousFlavor: Sweet peppery flavor and crispy fresh texture
Price: About $2.99 per 3-ounce package. (If you happen to find them in bulk, they might be around $3.99 per pound, but because they are so new you’ll most likely find them in the package.)
Season: Peak season is spring (March through June), as it is for many greens from California, but stay tuned, because this crop may end up having year-‘round availability.
Grown: In Central California

Branch out (ha ha, get it?) and try something new!

Melissa’s Produce sent a sample of the Kale Sprouts for testing.

{ 27 comments… read them below or add one }

Luna November 28, 2018 at 12:24 pm

Yum they are so good. I just tried them yesterday!

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Sharon @nut free wok January 30, 2016 at 5:18 pm

Wow, I had no idea that it’s possible to buy kale sprouts!! Sounds delicious and a must try new food. Thanks

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Dorothy Reinhold January 31, 2016 at 8:27 am

Sharon,
They are so cute, too. Cute food is always a plus. 🙂

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jacque May 3, 2015 at 1:19 pm

Trader Joe’s Glendale, AZ

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Alaia April 28, 2015 at 3:51 pm

You can find these in Trader Joes – I’ve been buying them for a few months now. I also saw them at Fresh and Easy – They were called Kalettes there.

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Dorothy Reinhold April 29, 2015 at 2:03 pm

Alaia,
Yep, I am seeing them more widely distributed this year! They’re fun to work with!

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Ellen March 14, 2015 at 12:18 pm

Just had these in a restaurant on a visit to San Francisco area–very delicious! Don’t know if I’ve ever seem them in a super market or outdoor market in DC, though.

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Dorothy Reinhold March 14, 2015 at 4:24 pm

Ellen,
I think they are getting more and more popular, so they might show up any time now.

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Jenna April 7, 2015 at 5:41 pm

Hey Ellen,
trader joes in old town Alexandria has kale sprouts now, 🙂

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Fedora June 20, 2015 at 1:45 pm

Got them at Trader Joe’s in Surprise, AZ and I love them. I’m not a real Kale lover, though I think Brussel Sprouts are heaven. But these Kale Sprouts are wonderful and I love them when I can find them.

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Dorothy Reinhold June 21, 2015 at 9:33 am

Fedora,
Love the name of that town….Surpise!

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Tari Wallace-Langdon March 2, 2015 at 11:40 am

Looks delicious! Hope I can find them here in Ohio!

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Dorothy Reinhold March 2, 2015 at 4:56 pm

Tari,
I have also seen them in the market called Kale-ettes, too.

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Morgan February 4, 2015 at 3:16 pm

Trying these tonight!!! Linked to this post from my FB page too 🙂

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Dorothy Reinhold February 4, 2015 at 9:24 pm

Morgan,
Thanks! Aren’t they great?

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Nancy Long March 4, 2013 at 6:00 pm

oh, wish I could find them here

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Dorothy March 5, 2013 at 2:32 pm

Nancy,
Not sure where you live, but they should be available nationally, so ask your produce guy. Tell him they are from Melissa’s Produce.

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Gina February 1, 2015 at 2:19 pm

I just bought some at Trader Joes, they have a large supply. 8 ounce bag for $3.99.

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Dorothy Reinhold February 1, 2015 at 8:08 pm

Gina,
Wahoo! You go!

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Nancy Rose Eisman February 27, 2013 at 6:50 pm

Kale Sprouts-palooza?

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Dorothy February 27, 2013 at 10:36 pm

Nancy,
I’m ALL IN!

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sippitysup February 26, 2013 at 6:43 pm

Actually if I were a mad scientist this is exactly what I would come up with! GREG

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Dorothy February 26, 2013 at 10:42 pm

Greg,
Me too! I might come up with it in a variety of colors, too, so we could have a rainbow effect. Unicorn kale sprouts!

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KJ February 27, 2013 at 9:42 am

OMG! I am making it my mission to find these this weekend. Cannot wait…

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Dorothy February 27, 2013 at 10:33 am

KJ,
Call Melissa’s Produce at (800) 588-0151 and they may be able to guide you in which stores in your area might have them.

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Dorothy Reinhold June 20, 2013 at 4:17 am

Cliff,
Oh yeah, kale sprouts…so cute, so delicious!

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