This tangy cavolo nero is ideal alongside grilled meats or a casserole, and is ready in just 20 minutes!
Cavolo nero with garlic and lemon is a quick and easy way to prepare this wonderful autumn/winter vegetable.
Tangy, tender, garlic-y and slightly sweet, this recipe is a family favourite and even appeals to the fussy eaters.
It is perfect alongside dishes from roasted or grilled meats, to fish, casseroles and pastas.
For those of you who enjoy eating seasonally, pick up a few bunches of fresh cavolo nero in the colder months for some nutritious, hearty and tasty winter cooking, then freeze the rest to use later.
This dish can be prepared in advance and served at room temperature or warm.
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What is cavolo nero?
Cavolo nero, also known as Lacinato kale or Tuscan kale, is a popular ingredient in Italian cuisine often used in soups such as ribollita and minestrone, stews, rice or pasta dishes. It is also known by other names such as dinosaur kale and black cabbage.
It is a member of the brassica family with loose, large dark green leaves which are thinner than the other varieties of kale. Younger leaves can be eaten raw in a salad.
I do believe cavolo nero is the most delicious variety of kale.
Your questions answered
After cooking, cavolo nero becomes tender and chewy with a satisfying bite, a delicate bitter flavour with a slightly sweet aftertaste.
Cavolo nero is a type of kale with long dark green leaves. It is as healthy as curly kale but more tender, less bitter and slightly sweeter. They can both be prepared the same way although cavolo nero cooks more quickly.
Not only does cavolo nero have wonderful flavour, this inexpensive winter vegetable is high in antioxidants and anti inflammatory properties. It is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals such as vitamins K, A, C, B2, manganese, calcium, iron, folate and fiber.
Fresh raw cavolo nero will keep in the fridge for up to 2 weeks, just wash the leaves before use. To freeze, first wash the leaves, blanch in boiling water for 2 minutes then transfer to icy water for 2 minutes, remove and pat dry. Transfer to a freezer bag and freeze for up to a year. Allow to thaw before using or use frozen.
Ingredients
For best results, use a good quality olive oil and fresh ingredients.
How to cut cavolo nero
- Rinse and pat dry the leaves.
2. Cut the tough central stalk away from the leaves.
3. Repeat with the rest of the leaves, saving the stalks for a soup, roast or smoothie.
4 & 5 Place the two sides of the leaf over each other and chop into thin strips, around ½ inch wide.
6. Chopped cavolo nero ready to use.
Helpful tips
- Use a good quality olive oil and fresh ingredients.
- Cavolo nero stalks are quite tough so it is best to remove it and keep aside for use in a soup or stew (see step by step pictures in the post above).
- A heavy bottomed saucepan allows an even distribution of heat so the food cooks uniformly.
- Add the oil and garlic to a cold pan and the turn the heat on to low. This allows the garlic to gently heat and soften, preventing burning (which will spoil the dish).
Storing leftovers
Store the cooked cavolo nero in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 3 days, or in the freezer for up to a month.
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📋 Recipe
Cavolo Nero With Garlic And Lemon
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 clove garlic crushed and chopped
- 400 grams cavolo nero 14 ounces Lacinato or Tuscan kale, rinsed, dried and chopped thinly
- ¼ teaspoon salt adjust to taste
- ⅓ milliliters water ⅓ cup
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
Instructions
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 clove garlic, 400 grams cavolo nero, ⅓ milliliters water, ¼ teaspoon saltAdd oil and garlic to a heavy bottomed pan and turn heat to low. Once the garlic softens add the cavolo nero, salt and water. Turn heat to medium low and cover with a lid, stirring occasionally, add a little more water if required.
- 1 teaspoon lemon zestCook till the cavolo nero is tender and the liquid has evaporated (around 10 minutes), then remove from heat and mix in the lemon zest.
Notes
- Rinse and pat dry the cavolo nero leaves.
- Remove the centre stalk and chop the leaves into thin strips (step by step instructions are in the post above).
- Add the oil and garlic to a cold pan then turn heat to low. This allows the garlic to heat gently and soften, preventing burning (which ruins the dish).
- This dish can be prepared in advance, served at room temperature or warm.
- Store leftovers cavolo nero in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 3 days, or in the freezer for up to a month.
MEASUREMENT NOTES
The ingredients here on EOTF are set out in grams & milliliters and in US cups & spoons.
Carole
This is the best, clearly, well explained guide to cooking this dish, that I have found online. I’m so glad that I found you. Thank you.
Nicole Shroff
Thank you so much for your lovely message Carole!
Sourav
what would be an indian alternative to to Cavolo Nero ?
Nicole Shroff
Hi Sourav, if you can’t find cavolo nero in your local market, you could try this recipe using kale.