Black Italian Cabbage
Estimated Inventory, 12 ct : 4.25
This item was last sold on : 04/09/26
Description/Taste
Black Italian cabbage has a thick central stalk and produces long, fat, spear-like leaves that have wrinkled, bubbled surfaces. The dark blue-green leaves will grow up to 46 centimeters long and 11 centimeters at their widest. Young leaves are harvested between 15 and 20 centimeters, when the stalks are still tender. As the leaves mature, they thicken, and stalks become tough. Black Italian cabbage offers a subtle peppery flavor with a tangy bite and sweet aftertaste.
Seasons/Availability
Black Italian cabbage is available year-round with a peak season in the winter months.
Current Facts
Black Italian cabbage, better known as Tuscan or Dinosaur kale, is an Italian variety botanically known as Brassica oleracea var. acephala. It is referred to as Lacinato kale as well as Cavolo Nero, the Italian name which literally translates to “Black cabbage.” The heirloom variety is found in the Tuscan region of Italy and is popular in restaurants in the United Kingdom and the United States.
Nutritional Value
Black Italian cabbage is an excellent source of vitamins K, A, C and B2, manganese and calcium. It’s a great source of iron, folates and dietary fiber. Kale is also a good source of phosphorus, magnesium, copper, B-complex vitamins, zinc and selenium. Black cabbage also contains the phytonutrients quercetin and kaempferol, and flavonoids like lutein, zeaxanthin, and beta carotene which provide beneficial antioxidant properties.
Applications
Black Italian cabbage, or Tuscan kale, is an essential ingredient in the regional dish ribollita, or reboiled winter vegetable stew. It is also used in minestrone. Young, tender leaves are used raw in green or grain salads. They can be used as wrappers for cheese, shrimp or prawn, and risotto. Older leaves may need to have the ribs or central stalk removed due to toughness, otherwise they require longer cooking time. The thick leaves can be sliced or chopped and used as a substitute for romaine in Cesar salad, braised, tossed into pasta dishes, soups, stews, egg dishes or simply sautéed with oil and garlic. It pairs well with beans and pork. Store Black Italian cabbage in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Wrapping the bottoms of the stems in a wet cloth will keep them from drying out.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Brassica oleracea is classified by its many forms and is further diversified into leaves (kale), heads (common or Savoy cabbage), gems (Brussels sprouts), hypertrophied flowers (broccoli and cauliflower), and roots (turnips). Kale, which is part of the acephala group, has two other types in addition to the Black Italian, or Tuscan kale: curly (also known as Scots) and Russian, with fringed, flat, serrated leaves.
Geography/History
Italian cabbage is an international hybrid and a prized Tuscan specialty referred to as "cavolo nero" or black cabbage in English. Abundantly available in Tuscany, black cabbage supplies are very limited in other parts of the world. Italian cuisine especially favors this cabbage in the cold-weather cooking season. A member of the Crucifer or mustard family, cabbage is a prehistoric Mediterranean wild plant. Classified by its many forms, cabbage is diversified into leaves (kale), heads (common or Savoy cabbage), gems (Brussels sprouts), hypertrophied flowers (broccoli and cauliflower), or into roots (turnips).
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
| Little Frenchie | Coronado CA | 619-522-6890 |
| Rustic Root Solana | Solana Beach CA | 619-955-5750 |
| Vertex - Merryfield Row | San Diego CA | 619-405-8950 |
| Fort Oak | San Diego CA | 619-795-6901 |
| Nate's Garden Grill | San Diego CA | 619-607-0117 |
| Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-759-6063 |
| Crust Pizzeria Solana Beach | Solana Beach CA | 858-212-8751 |
| Chateau La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-459-4451 |
| Rustic Root | San Diego CA | 619-232-1747 |
| Mission Bay Beach Club | San Diego CA | 858-201-7551 |
| The Heritage Steakhouse | Santee CA | 619-330-0134 |
| Secret Sister | San Diego CA | 619-281-0718 |
| The Plot | Oceanside CA | 422-266-8200 |
| Blue Ocean (Carlsbad) | Carlsbad CA | 760-434-4959 |
| San Diego Yacht Club | San Diego CA | 619-758-6334 |
| The Remy | San Diego CA | 619-886-1358 |
| Daffodil Cafe | San Diego CA | 858-461-7788 |
| Wolf In the Woods | San Diego CA | 619-851-7275 |
| Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-756-1582 |
| Cesarina | San Diego CA | 619-226-6222 |
| The Crack Shack-Encinitas | Encinitas CA | 877-230-1871 |
| Lilo | Carlsbad CA | 619-385-0914 |
| The Santaluz Club Inc - Bistro Kitchen | San Diego CA | 858-759-3150 |
| Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District | El Cajon CA | 619-644-7585 |
| Lodge at Torrey Pines Main | San Diego CA | 858-453-4420 |
| Shore Rider | La Jolla CA | 858-412-5308 |
| Ctzn | Solana Beach CA | 858-925-7141 |
| Savory Moment (1) | Carlsbad CA | 619-633-8863 |
| Green Acres Campus | San Diego CA | 858-450-9907 |
| Knotty Barrel- Rancho | San Diego CA | 858-484-8758 |
| Urban Kitchen Catering | San Diego CA | 619-276-8803 |
| The Crack Shack Costa Mesa | Costa Mesa CA | 951-808-7790 |
| Il Sogno Italiano | San Diego CA | 619-380-2652 |
| Carne & Hueso | San Diego CA | 619-756-7545 |
| Miho | San Diego CA | 619-365-5655 |
| Sheraton Carlsbad (20/20) | Carlsbad CA | 760-827-2400 |
| 264 Fresco (Kitchen) | Carlsbad CA | 760-720-3737 |
| Pacific Yacht Agents | Los Angeles CA | 808-214-0970 |
| Duke's La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-454-1999 |
| Farmer and The Seahorse | San Diego CA | |
| Paradisaea Restaurant | La Jolla CA | 732-915-6669 |
| Toast Catering | San Diego CA | 619-795-9135 |
| Herb & Sea | Encinitas CA | 858-587-6601 |
| US Grant Hotel Grill | San Diego CA | 619-232-3121 |
| The Glen at Scripps Ranch | San Diego CA | 858-444-8500 |
| Campfire | Carlsbad CA | 760-637-5121 |
| Continental Catering Inc | La Mesa CA | 907-738-9264 |
| SIE Culinary Management | San Diego CA | 858-964-8677 |
| Far Corner | San Diego CA | 619-549-0838 |
| Gold Finch | San Diego CA | 619-804-2051 |
| The Beau Hotel | San Diego CA | 619-310-5160 |
| Alila Marea Beach Resort | Encinitas CA | 805-539-9719 |
| The Crack Shack-San Diego | San Diego CA | 619-795-3299 |
| Black Raill Kitchen + Bar | Carlsbad CA | 619-454-9182 |
| Living Coast Discovery Center | Chula Vista CA | 619-409-5900 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Black Italian Cabbage. One
is easiest, three is harder.| Budget Bytes |
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Sesame Kale |
| Healthy Seasonal Recipes |
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Kale Salad with Roasted Delicata Squash, Chevre, Dried Cranberries & Spiced Pecans |
Black Italian Cabbage for sale around the world shared on the Specialty Produce App
