Kale is one of the healthiest and most nutrient-dense foods you can eat. This leafy green is packed with vitamins A, C, and K, as well as antioxidants, fiber, calcium, iron, and a wide range of other vitamins and minerals. However, kale also tends to attract little creepy crawly visitors like aphids, caterpillars, and other bugs. While certainly unappetizing, finding a few bugs in your kale doesn’t mean you have to throw the whole bunch away. With the right techniques, you can easily wash kale to remove any hitchhiking insects and their eggs.
Why Bugs Like Kale
Kale and other produce directly from the garden or farm can contain bugs for a few reasons
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Kale has lots of nooks and crannies. The curly or wrinkled leaves provide plenty of hiding spots for small insects.
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It grows close to the ground. Lower-growing vegetables are more susceptible to bug contamination from the soil.
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It’s not washed before packaging. Kale is a hardy green that can go straight from the field to your grocery store without any cleaning in between.
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Pesticides aren’t always used Many kale farmers use organic practices without chemical pesticides, This is better for the environment but means more bugs may sneak in
So while finding bugs in kale is undesirable, it doesn’t mean the kale is unsafe to eat or that it wasn’t grown properly. Washing is an expected step before eating kale.
How to Wash Bugs Off Kale
Washing kale to remove any insects, eggs, or debris just takes a few simple steps:
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Remove kale from the stems. Strip the individual leaves off the thick stems and central rib. Bugs often hide in these folded, protected areas. Removing them ensures you can wash every leaf thoroughly.
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Soak in saltwater, vinegar, or mild soap. Place the separated kale leaves into a large bowl or salad spinner. Fill with cool water and add:
- 1 tablespoon of salt
- 1 tablespoon of vinegar
- 1-2 drops mild dish soap like Dawn
The salt, acidic vinegar, or soap helps detach bugs from the leaves.
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Agitate and soak for 5 minutes. Swish the kale around to dislodge any clinging insects. Let soak for at least 5 minutes to allow the salt, vinegar, or soap to work.
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Drain and rinse. Dump out the soak water and any bugs or debris along with it. Rinse the kale under fresh cool water to remove any remaining salt, vinegar, or soap.
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Check thoroughly for stragglers. Examine the leaves closely for any remaining bugs or eggs. Pay particular attention to dark spots or dirt-like specks, which could be aphid eggs. Remove any last bugs you spot by hand.
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Repeat if needed. For kale that’s really buggy, repeat the soaking and rinsing process twice to make sure you get them all.
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Dry and store. Pat the kale dry with paper towels or a salad spinner. Transfer to an airtight bag or container and refrigerate. For longer storage, you can also blanch and freeze washed kale.
Tips for Washing Kale Effectively
Follow these tips for clean, bug-free kale:
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Wash kale right before eating. Don’t wash too far in advance, as damp kale spoils faster.
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Inspect as you wash. Look closely at each leaf and remove any visible bugs, worm casings, or eggs.
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Try soaking in cold saltwater first. Salt helps detach smaller insects. Vinegar or dish soap can leave unwanted flavors.
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Use a salad spinner. The spinning action forces off clinging bugs. Pat leaves very dry after spinning.
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Wash other veggies first. If washing kale alongside other produce, wash the kale last to avoid spreading any bugs.
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Store properly. Keep washed kale chilled in an airtight container to prevent future contamination.
Enjoy Fresh, Clean Kale
While finding bugs in kale can be annoying and gross, they’re easy enough to wash away with this simple soaking and rinsing process. An insect-free bowl of leafy greens takes just a few extra minutes of preparation.
Removing bugs from kale helps ensure you can safely eat this highly nutritious vegetable. Just take care to wash each leaf thoroughly and repeat the process if needed to remove all traces of insects. With clean kale on hand, you can enjoy all the vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and health benefits it provides without the extra protein!
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How to clean fresh kale
FAQ
Is it normal to find bugs in kale?
If the holes are on the interior of the leaf, that means you have pests crawling along the underside and eating all the way through. While slugs and snails have been known to eat from kale, your culprit is most likely going to be caterpillars, specifically cabbage worms and cabbage loopers.
How to wash bugs off vegetables?
Soak Your Produce in Salt Water – Doing this will help remove most of the pesticides, and has been shown to draw out bugs as well.
How do you wash Kale?
If you want to use kale, it’s important that you wash it first. To wash kale, you will need to remove the stems and submerge it in water. Then, rinse kale under tap water to remove any lingering dirt and debris. From there, store kale carefully until you need to use it. Use a sharp knife to slice the kale leaves from the stems.
Which is the best way to eat Kale?
Kale is a high-fiber cruciferous vegetable like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower and cabbage. These vegetables can cause gas and bloating or general digestive discomfort, especially in individuals who are just beginning to eat high-fiber cruciferous vegetables. Cooking kale, rather than eating it raw, and using recipes that call for lemon may reduce digestive side effects. Also effective in reducing gas and bloating is eating one-half teaspoon of fennel seeds(toasted, raw, or candied) after a meal when you experience gas or bloating. Drinking water after consuming a high fiber meal is recommended to help fiber pass through the digestive tract. Tuscan kale (also known as lacinato or dinosaur kale) is easier to incorporate into the diet, tastes better than other types of kale, and can be eaten raw or cooked. Kale is a nutritious high-fiber dark green vegetable that will upgrade any diet.
How do you get rid of flea beetles on Kale?
How to Get Rid of Them: To get rid of flea beetles you can spray your kale with neem oil, which will both kill and repel the little pests. To protect your plants from a flea beetle invasion, you can cover your kale with floating row covers. Additionally, you can spread diatomaceous earth around your kale. 3. Cabbage Loopers
How do you keep Kale fresh?
Then, fill a bowl with lukewarm water. Submerge the kale in the water and swish it around to loosen dirt and debris. Then, leave the kale in the water to soak for 10 minutes. Rinse the kale with clean water and pat it dry with paper towels. Place the kale in an airtight container and store it for up to 2 weeks.
How do you get rid of cabbage worms on Kale?
Once you have removed all of the cabbage worm eggs and caterpillars, you can spray your plants with neem oil. This should be done every 2-3 days for 2 weeks, and then once a week thereafter. Another option is to cover your kale with floating row covers to prevent the butterflies from landing on your kale.
How do I keep white flies from attacking my Kale?
One of the easiest ways to keep whiteflies from attacking your kale is to plant strong-smelling herbs close to your plants, such as thyme or rosemary. I have found that planting rosemary is an excellent deterrent. In addition to planting pungent plants in your garden, you can use sticky traps like these around your plants.