Description

The Cavolo Riccio Rosso is known for its stunning, heavily ruffled leaves that range in colour from deep green with reddish-purple margins to an intense, uniform dark purple. It’s often grown as much for its ornamental beauty as for its nutritional value.

Taste and Texture: It has a hearty, slightly crunchy texture and an earthy, sometimes slightly bitter or peppery flavour. The key is to wait for cooler weather to harvest; cold weather increases the sugar content in the leaves, dramatically mellowing the bitterness and improving the flavour.

Culinary Uses:
Salads (Raw): The leaves are tough when harvested, but you can make them tender by massaging them for a few minutes with a little olive oil, lemon juice, and salt.
Cooked: It holds its shape well in cooking, making it perfect for:
Sautéing: With garlic, chili, and olive oil, similar to Cavolo Nero.
Soups/Stews: Added to hearty winter soups like Italian minestrone or ribollita.
Baking: For delicious and healthy Kale Chips.

Growing Guide: Coltivazione Facile a Malta (Easy Growing in Malta)
Kale thrives in cooler weather, making it an ideal crop for the Maltese autumn/winter/spring. The high summer heat will cause the plants to bolt (go to seed) and the leaves to become bitter.

When to Plant: Transplant Outdoors in Mid-September to early October, once the worst of the summer heat has passed.

Location/Sun: Prefers full sun, but will tolerate light partial shade, which can be beneficial during the milder periods to prevent stress.

Soil & Potting: Needs fertile, well-drained soil. Like all brassicas, amend the soil with plenty of well-rotted compost or manure before planting. It is an excellent crop for containers (pots should be at least 30cm deep and wide) and raised beds.

Spacing: Plant seedlings 45–60 cm apart.

Watering: Water regularly and consistently, especially while the plants are small and establishing their root system. Dry soil can stress the plants and cause the leaves to become more bitter.

Pest Control: The biggest challenge in Malta will be the Cabbage White Butterfly caterpillars and aphids. Use fine netting or horticultural mesh (e.g., tulle fabric) to cover the plants from the moment they are planted out to prevent butterflies from laying eggs.

Firming: Kale can become tall and wobbly. After planting, firmly tread the soil around the base of the stem to anchor it well, and consider ‘earthing up’ (piling soil around the stem) as it grows taller.

Harvest: Start harvesting once the leaves are a reasonable size (about the size of your hand).

Continuous Harvest: Harvest the outer, lower leaves first, working your way up the stem. Always leave the central, growing tip intact, as this will continue to produce new leaves for months. The plant will continue to produce leaves all winter long.