It will probably continue to be difficult to find right now because kale is at the end of the season in Switzerland. What you may find is kale which has been stored or sometimes black kale coming from Italy (I just bought some this morning - in Oerlikon though). Your best bet would be the fresh food markets in Basel or across the border in France. Another option is cima di rapa, which is grown in Alsace (but also at the end of the season).
Indeed, kale (Federkohl/Grünkohl) is out of season now, thus hard to find. Hell, even in season it's hard to find here. I've never even seen collard greens (Markstammkohl) here, as they are grown only as feed.
Next December, start looking at health food stores (they always have it) and the organic departments of Coop (they sometimes have it). I've never seen it at Migros.
Bear in mind, it appears that -- as with many old-fashioned foods -- kale and collard greens have been relegated to animal feed in this continent, esp. in Switzerland.
There was purple kale at the market in Bottmingen on Tuesday and green kale at one stall in the main Marktplatz in Basel today. It still looked good, although I agree with other comments that it is getting to the end of the season and harder to find.
Not sure where you are getting this information, but I really can't agree with this. Kale is available when in season...but, mostly at the markets or health food stores.
No, seriously. People have largely stopped eating them, which is why you can only find it at health food stores. Same with turnips, a staple food before the potato came along. ( German WP says collards are grown primarily for animal feed in Germany.)
(When my mom bought a large turnip to eat, my Swiss stepdad said "We're going to eat a Räbeliechtli!?! ")
I've read all the articles. My point is that here in Europe, it seems that many traditional vegetables were left behind as more "refined" vegetables came along as wealth increased. Switzerland even more so than others. And I think this statement stands. (Even my German coworkers don't know what I'm talking about when I ask about Grünkohl and the like, so while it may exist there, it's certainly not an everyday thing like it is in USA.)
We were actually successful in securing the real Dino Kale (cavalo nero - in Italy) on the farmers market in Lucerne. My wife started a discussion with one of the folks at a veggie booth and they told her that most folks around here don't know Kale at all. But from then on they brought some to the market so we could get it frequently. We have been too busy recently to go the market and I am not sure if it's still around. I guess you just got talk to your veggie dealer, they might be able to find it for you.
Thanks Jack.....was searching earlier and realised it is a fall veggie......still never noticed it in stores that time of year either but will look more closely next october
Me and my friend had a discussion about leafy greens last year and it resulted in me getting seeds from the US in order to plant them in my garden. Don't I have a nice friend?
I don't think you will find kale easily in the normal grocery shops, even if it's season. I'd rather try a farmer's market, maybe. Season is November - February.
All sorts of cabbages are traditionally winter vegetables. However, with a bit of luck some you can buy more or less all year round, like red and white cabbage (Rotkohl, Weisskohl), cauliflower (Blumenkohl), broccoli (Broccoli). As for Brussels sprouts (Rosenkohl), you can buy frozen one.
BTW: The German word "Kohl" and the English "kale" and "cole" (like in cole slaw) must derive from a similar language root, I think.
I have seen this thread but simply failed to understand the topic, "Federkohl/Grünkohl" is something I would rather regard as something for animals. And so possibly rather on offer in shops in rural areas than in urban areas. If you are a "country-boy" move your shoppings to a places like Sursee, Willisau and Wolhausen
Your are missing out, if you like greens, be not eating kale. After starting eating this dark green stuff you won't go back to standard salad etc. I am as country boy as a former resident of the City of San Francisco can be ... ;-)
