Given the great love many people have for kale, it seems appropriate that a massage turns out to be the best way to prepare it. A good rubdown can enhance the kale’s flavor as well as preserve its nutrient content.
Because let’s face it, while kale is known as one of the world’s healthiest foods, when its virtues are enumerated, qualities like tenderness and sweetness aren’t usually emphasized. That’s why kale is usually cooked, as heat breaks down the plant’s cellular structure, tenderizing it, while turning complex carbohydrates into simple sugars, adding sweetness.
But this increased edibility comes at a cost. As the bluish green of a living kale leaf fades into a navy shade of green, some fragile enzymes are killed. Live enzymes are known to be healthy in many ways, including as a digestive aid. A raw vegetable like kale is composed of cells that are still alive. Cooking effectively kills the plant cells, destroying other sensitive nutrients as well.
Massaging kale results in a compromise between raw and cooked, in which the best aspects of both methods are preserved. As you inflict manual loving trauma upon the kale leaves, the cellulose architecture of the cell walls is crushed. In this mayhem, some of those enzymes are released, some of which go to work on the cell’s carbohydrate supplies, chopping them into simple sugars. As you rub, twist and knead the kale, it wilts down to a fraction of its former size, similar to what happens during cooking.
By the end of this preparatory procedure you have a massaged kale that’s great in and of itself but can also be a point of departure for the creation of many other, more interesting salads.
Any kale will work, and there are many to choose from these days. I like a mix of curly green kale and black kale, aka dino, aka Tuscan, aka Lacinato kale, aka the flat-leafed, extra dark kind. Wash the kale and shake it dry — there is no need for the salad spinner, as not much water will come out, and a little water doesn’t hinder the massage. Pull the leafy material off each stalk and put the spineless leaves in a big mixing bowl.
Before I massage in earnest, sometimes I attack the destemmed kale pieces with scissors, snapping the sheets down to smaller pieces in haphazard fashion. One could also chop the leaves with a knife, or carefully sliver them with scissors. Or just rip it all to shreds with your bare hands.
The massage’s effect is enhanced by the application of salt, oil, and citrus juice like lime to the leaves. These ingredients help grind up the cell walls as they work their way into the leaves, establishing their flavor. Vinegar, while acidic, makes a terrible substitute, flavor wise, for lime, lemon, orange, or grapefruit. And citrus, like kale, comes into full season in winter. I like to use a mix of citrus juices, any one of which could be used alone except for orange, which isn’t acidic or bitter enough.
For a decent-sized bunch of kale, use about one-fourth cup of olive oil, one half-teaspoon of salt, and two tablespoons of citrus juice.
Mix these in, and proceed to squeeze, twist, wring, press, and maim the kale with your hands. The exact motions are fairly intuitive. The kale volume will shrink dramatically at first. The massage can end by the time the kale is holding steady at about one fifth of its original volume, or when your forearms are too tired to continue, or when it’s sufficiently beaten down to your liking.
You now have massaged kale, which you can start eating now, or use it as an ingredient in a more complex dish. After its massage, your kale is understandably loose and ready to go in most any direction you wish to take it. But if you want to start eating, simply adjust the seasonings and go. I highly recommend toasted pumpkin seeds sprinkled on top.
As a salad, massaged kale goes well mixed with parsley (non-massaged), and the fiery pungency of raw garlic and onions. Cooked grains like quinoa or bulgur can be added. I like to toss in thin slices of blood orange, peel and all. The bitterness of the peel bridges the flavors of the bittersweet orange and the bitter-ish kale, while providing a juicy, colorful contrast. And despite the fact that massaging adds sweetness to kale, a little more is always welcome. Grapefruit chunks are another way to add bittersweetness. Pomegranate is another fruit, also in season, that makes a beautiful, delicious splash in massaged kale salad. A tablespoon or two of pomegranate molasses adds nice tang and sweetness. Sweeter fruits like mango can be used, as can honey.
When your salad is assembled, taste and add more citrus or salt as necessary, and crush on some black pepper if you wish. Toasted pumpkin seeds are practically mandatory, they go so well, sprinkled upon each serving rather than tossed in.
Massaged kale can also be added to cooked food. Toss it on a hot dish and let it wilt, as is often done with spinach. Or toss it into a stir-fry at the last minute; it only needs to heat up, and can hold on to its raw, bright green color. You can also let massaged kale hang out in the fridge overnight, allowing it to soften and marinate.
In short, all of the many ways you have for enjoying your kale could be improved if you start by giving it a loving, tender massage. OK, it’s actually a rough, tenderizing massage. But let’s face it, kale responds well to tough love. So show your love is true with a good spanking. Then squeeze some acid on the wounds, and grind in some salt. It will be good for your relationship.
