Why Kale?

So you're in the grocery store looking for something seasonal.  Yeah, there's winter squash.  Sweet potatoes.  And apples are yummy.  But what about greens?  How about that dark green leafy stuff that looks like overgrown parsley?  It's kale and here's why it's good for you and what to do with it...

• It's quite nutrient-dense.  High in all the goodies--anti-oxidants like beta-carotene and vitamin C, as well as fiber and calcium.
• Buy the darkest colored bunches you can find and store in a plastic bag in the coldest section of your fridge for 3-4 days.
• Before cooking, you're going to want to trim out the center tough ribs. 
• Then, use it in an Italian soup like minestrone.  Pair it with potatoes, white beans, cheesy pasta, or sausage.
• And you can always keep it simple and saute it with some garlic, a splash of white wine (or white wine vinegar) and a pinch of crushed red pepper.
• Still not convinced?  Come back tomorrow for a delicious recipe that got the seal of approval in my kitchen.