Kale Sprouts Delivery or Pickup

Kale sprouts, also called "Lollipop Kale," "Kalettes," or "flower sprouts," are similar to the Brussels sprout. This is because the kale sprout was, in fact, created by crossing the Brussels sprout with Russian red kale. Lollipop Kale and Kalettes are brand names for kale sprouts, though there are no restrictions on growing and distributing kale sprouts as a generic vegetable.

Over the last ten years, kale sprouts have been showing up in grocery stores and restaurant menus with increasing regularity. Kale sprouts have a dark green, veiny petal, wrapped around a Brussels sprout pod. The flavor is a blend of Brussels sprout and kale stalk. As a Brassica Oleracea family member, kale sprouts are related to collards, kohlrabi, and cauliflower. They get harvested during the early shooting stage. Since the sprouting process takes time, kale sprouts aren't as widely available as the Brussels sprout.

Dr. Jamie Claxton created the first kale sprout hybrid plant in Britain in 1995. Tozer scientists took the development from there, and in 2010, they began marketing kale sprouts around the world under the name "Kalletes." Across the pond in Salinas, California, John Moore's company Salad Savoy started to market his kale sprouts under the name "Lollipop Kale" in 2012. Despite the kale sprout's origin in Europe, the United States represents the largest market for kale sprouts today.

The kale sprout has an earthy sweetness and a firm yet leafy texture. You can use kale sprouts in antipasto plates with rich, sweet, or spicy sauces, or you can slice them for sauteing with pasta and vegetables. You can roast them in duck fat or olive oil like you do Brussels sprouts, and top them with meat for a savory side dish. You can even skewer kale sprouts and grill them for delicious beef, chicken, or vegetable kabobs. Whole kale sprouts also have a lovely color and shape, which makes them useful for plate presentations.

In your backyard garden, kale sprouts ripen in the fall and early winter. You can harvest them when the first leaves blossom around their tiny inner head. Besides personal gardening, kale sprouts are cultivated year-round for commercial sale. The florets open in a flowerlike fashion to about 2 inches in diameter. Several varieties are planted, for separate harvesting in the early, mid, and late seasons. Dry climates require their fertilization and irrigation for optimal growth.

The kale sprout should have a loose, lacy petal structure around the small inner pod. Try to find kale sprouts that are bite-sized. The color should be deep green with purple veins. The inner sprout pod should be firm, and the leaves stiff and curly along the edges. Yellowed, slimy, or wilted leaves indicate that the kale sprout may be old, and you should choose another bunch.

Kale sprouts only last a day or two at room temperature, so keep them in the refrigerator. You can put them in a bowl and cover them with a damp cloth in the fridge for up to four weeks. 

You can save time shopping for kale sprouts by using the Instacart app. Add the kale sprouts to your cart and checkout. An Instacart shopper will prepare your order. In as little as 2 hours, your kale sprouts could be ready for in-store pick-up! In some cases, your order may qualify for same-day delivery!