How To Extend The Life Of Fresh Kale

Eating kale has so much health benefits. It’s considered one of the superfoods as it is packed with beta-carotene and other antioxidants, which are believed to help prevent heart disease and certain types of cancer. It is very low in calories, has no fat and is high in fiber. A serving of kale actually gives you more iron than beef and more calcium than milk! And, on top of all those benefits of kale, the green leaves contain a great source of lutein, an eye-friendly nutrient believed to slow macular degeneration by more than 40%!

The shelf life of kale, like most other fresh vegetables may not have a sell by date, use by date, or best before date so you have to go with purchase date in most cases. The pre-wash packaged ones I buy in the grocery usually last only 2 days in the chiller and in this heat, you virtually have to eat them immediately because they wilt instantly.

Extending the life of your greens especially in the tropics is like gold.

Here’s my tip on how to make kale last longer:

Freeze them!

I buy the pre-washed packaged kale from the grocery. I hoard 3 to 4 bags because they sell out fast! If you buy them fresh in organic markets, be sure to wash them thoroughly then dry. Pop them in the freezer and they can last for up to two months! When you’re ready to serve the kale, heat it in a little water or oil.

Frozen kale is perfect for Green Eggs (fried eggs topped with kale or omelette with kale) and making green smoothies! Also, it’s easy to remove the stem and center vein when they are frozen.

For my Green Milk Smoothie (with kale) recipe, click here.

Here are some of the greens I freeze to prolong their shelf life:

Basil – we’re growing a lot of herbs in our garden and the basil plant needs constant pruning and pinching to keep them lush. Once I pick out the leaves, I wash them thoroughly under running water then dry them on paper towels. I store them in freezer-safe Zip-lock bags (I reuse the bags a lot) and pop them in the freezer.
Broccoli – my family loves broccoli! I buy a few heads then I chop them into florets and store them in a Zip-lock bag in the freezer.
Spinach – they’re great for smoothies and cooking. Freezing them makes it less gooey when making a smoothie.

For more tips on freezing raw greens, click here.