Russian Hunger Gap kale

(Brassica napus)

Very similar to Red Russian, but with slightly larger plants. This kale is very cold hardy. We overwintered it in the garden, and cold did not appear to trouble it – though the deer did; if you have deer where you live, take precautions! I was intrigued by this kale because in the spring of its second year it bolts later than most kales, providing a source of fresh greens through the spring ‘hunger gap’ when spring-planted crops are not yet producing. The flower shoots and buds are also fine to eat, though quite strong-flavoured.