What: Kalette
This new hybrid is a cross between two very popular vegetables, kale and brussel sprouts, a plant of extraordinary beauty. Large grey-green ruffled leaves seem to float on thick bright purple stems. Kalette is the first “new” vegetable to be introduced since the creation of broccolini in 1993. Kalette enjoyed quite a buzz upon its arrival in the U.S. in 2014, being named one of the trendiest vegetables in 50 years by Bon Appetit Magazine, and featured on “The Ellen Show.” The edible part of this vegetable grows at the base of the leaves near the stem and appears to be tiny rosettes. A few specialty grocers carried this new vegetable in 2014, but its ornamental qualities are not to be understated and it is being test-grown in our area.
Note that seeds are available from Johnny’s Selected Seeds www.johnnyseeds.com or from Jet at jet.com.
Sun or shade: Kalette prefers full sun.
Size: Mature height is 3 feet with a spread of 3 feet.
See it: In the WSU Snohomish County Master Gardener Demonstration Garden near the entrance and in the raised vegetable bed; at Jennings Memorial Park, 6915 Armar Road, Marysville.
Source: Sandra Schumacher, Special to The Herald
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