Highland Kale

Highland Kale (Ethiopian Gommanzar) -- An incomparable winter green

We grew Highland kale for the first time last winter. It wasn't hard to convince chefs to use it. It's an outstanding mustard crop. Tender, flavorful, and with beautiful streaks of purple on the leaves and buds. Mature leafy shoots -- sold as "Highland Kale Tops" -- are available from us at our Sunol farm stand and at the Menlo Park farmers' market.

Highland kale is one of the many crops brought to us by Menkir Tamrat. For more on the Ethiopian crops we grow, and the story behind these crops see the current issue of Edible East Bay. We call this kale "highland kale" because it grows in the temperate highlands of Ethiopia. The flavor is halfway between a relatively sweet kale, like cavalo nero, and a mild mustard.

Note added: Highland Kale is part of our Ethiopian Seeds Project. It is one of five varieties of exceptional Ethiopian vegetables that we want to release nation-wide via our new breeding/seed enterprise, Artisan Seeds.