As a nutritious leafy green, most people are familiar with eating kale leaves fresh or cooked. But did you know that kale’s seed pods are also edible?
When kale is left to complete its two-year growing cycle and go to flower and seed, the seed pods that form can be harvested and eaten, similar to radish seed pods. Here’s an overview of eating kale seed pods:
Are Kale Seed Pods Edible?
Yes, kale seed pods are completely edible. The pods have a flavor reminiscent of the kale plant itself – earthy, nutty, and mildly cabbage-like.
The pods range in taste from mild to slightly spicy depending on variety and growing conditions. Their texture when raw is crisp and juicy
Kale pods contain concentrated vitamins and minerals from the kale plant. They are an excellent source of vitamins A C K, fiber, calcium, manganese, and more.
So harvesting and eating the seed pods is a great way to enjoy the nutritional benefits of kale in a new form
When Are Kale Pods Ready to Harvest?
Kale is a biennial plant, meaning it takes two growing seasons to complete its life cycle. Here is the timeline:
-
Year 1: Sow seeds or transplant kale starts. Plants will grow leaves but not flower. Harvest leaves through fall, winter, and spring.
-
Year 2: In early spring, overwintered kale plants will produce flower buds on tall stalks followed by seed pods. It takes about 60 days from first flower to mature seed pod.
For eating, the pods should be harvested while still young, green, and tender. Wait too long and the pods will become dry and fibrous.
Check pods frequently by sampling to determine ideal stage for eating. Harvest pods before seeds inside have started developing.
How to Harvest Kale Pods
When pods are at the perfect tender, pre-seed stage:
-
Snip off pods individually just above the stem. Leave any developing flowers and remaining small pods to allow seeds to mature.
-
Or cut whole stalks with immature pods and collect pods, leaving later flowers to produce seed.
-
Store freshly picked pods in refrigerator in a perforated plastic bag or container and use within 2-3 days.
-
Pods can also be blanched 1-2 minutes then frozen for longer storage.
How To Use Kale Seed Pods
Kale pods can be enjoyed both raw and cooked:
Raw Kale Pods
-
Chop raw pods into salads or slaws for a nutritious crunch.
-
Use as crudités for dipping in hummus, tzatziki, or other dips and spreads.
-
Toss whole or chopped pods into green smoothies.
-
Mix into cold grain-based salads like tabbouleh.
-
Garnish tacos, sandwiches, bowls, and charcuterie boards.
Cooked Kale Pods
-
Sauté or stir-fry briefly with olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper.
-
Steam or blanch 2-3 minutes until just tender-crisp. Shock in ice bath to stop cooking.
-
Roast at 400°F for 15-20 minutes with olive oil and salt.
-
Purée into pesto, soups, pasta sauce.
-
Pickle pods in vinegar brine for a tangy flavor.
Tips for Enjoying Kale Pods
-
Sample raw pods straight from the plant to test for tenderness before harvesting.
-
Refrigerate freshly harvested pods right away to retain crispness.
-
Wash or rinse pods just before eating to avoid excess water leading to sogginess.
-
When cooking, take care not to overcook pods into mush. Keep tender-crisp.
-
Sprinkle raw or cooked pods with lemon juice to brighten flavor.
-
Pair pods with stronger flavored foods like meats, cheeses, nuts, or dressings.
Saving Kale Seeds from Pods
In addition to eating some tender kale pods, you can allow many pods to dry on the plants to harvest kale seeds for future planting:
-
Leave flower stalks with maturing pods intact on plants until pods dry and turn brown. Seeds are mature when pods rattle when shaken.
-
Cut entire dried stalks and place in paper bag to finish curing for 1-2 weeks.
-
Rub pods between hands over a bowl to separate seeds. Winnow to remove chaff.
-
Store dried kale seeds in envelopes or glass jars in cool, dark place. They remain viable for 4+ years.
Having both edible pods and saving seeds for next year makes growing kale to maturity particularly rewarding.
How to Grow Kale as a Biennial
To experience kale’s edible pods and viable seeds, you must grow kale for two seasons:
-
Start seeds or transplants in spring or summer. Grow for leaves all season.
-
Overwinter established kale plants under mulch or protection.
-
In spring year 2, plants will bolt, flower, and produce pods and seed.
-
Provide support for tall flower stalks as needed.
With a little patience letting your kale grow through its full life cycle, you’ll discover its edible seed pods and can harvest your own seeds for future kale crops!
How To Save Kale Seeds. And Why You Should Do it.
FAQ
Is it safe to eat kale seeds?
Are seed pods edible?
Are kale flower buds edible?
Can you eat kale seeds?
Well, for starters, your kale plants will need to have overwintered. Then the yellow flowers will come, followed by the pods. While they are green, you can eat them. Once they become too tough, leave them for seeds. Would you recognize this as food if you didn’t know what it was? Timing is everything.
Which is the best way to eat Kale?
Kale is a high-fiber cruciferous vegetable like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower and cabbage. These vegetables can cause gas and bloating or general digestive discomfort, especially in individuals who are just beginning to eat high-fiber cruciferous vegetables. Cooking kale, rather than eating it raw, and using recipes that call for lemon may reduce digestive side effects. Also effective in reducing gas and bloating is eating one-half teaspoon of fennel seeds(toasted, raw, or candied) after a meal when you experience gas or bloating. Drinking water after consuming a high fiber meal is recommended to help fiber pass through the digestive tract. Tuscan kale (also known as lacinato or dinosaur kale) is easier to incorporate into the diet, tastes better than other types of kale, and can be eaten raw or cooked. Kale is a nutritious high-fiber dark green vegetable that will upgrade any diet.
Do Kale pods fall off?
In our no-dig garden, we let the kale plants become slightly unsightly. While the lemon balm, mint and yarrow were growing up around them, the life of kale was quickly coming to an end. Luckily, due to a drier summer, the kale pods had plenty of time to ripen and dry on the plant. The pods are dry, but not falling off on their own.
Why does a Kale plant eat its seeds?
It’s entirely possible that the plant wants to produce as many seeds as it can instead. A sea of mint and kale pods, a little unruly and wild (photo taken two months after the previous one). So, when you see those first flowers and kale florets, snatch them up and eat them. The plant is not reaching the end of its life. It’s starting one anew.