Hi, I am a big kale eater (prefer what we call dino kale here in California - possibly also called black or blue kale). How easy is it to find this in and around Luzern? Just trying to figure out what to expect and if I need to get myself a green thumb ...

I've seen it sporadically at the Coop I shop at in Zurich. But, it's very expensive... something like 4 CHF for maybe 5 leaves of red kale. If you have space to grow - go that route for sure!

There is a wonderful Bio-Laden here in Chur and they had a huge assortment of all kinds of seaweeds, Miso, umeplums, daikon, fermented soya, etc. I was really astonished!

Hmm, Seaweeds, where is that in Chur?

Kale is also used in Portuguese & Kenyan cuisine.

Since there are a significant number of Portuguese people in CH, I'd suggest you find a Portuguese lebensmittel/grocer and request it there. I haven't managed to find one yet, but then again, I haven't really looked hard for one.

The store is called "Rägawurm Bioladen"... It's really the best health food store I've seen so far (ok, only been here since February) including Germany... Not quite as good as the ones back home in Canada but this one is pretty awesome! Unfortunately they don't have their own website, but here's the address and a picture of the store (It's in the old city near the Bead Store and the Baby items store)

• Address: Comandergasse 3, 7000 Chur
• Phone: +41-81-252-1695

I've also been looking for kale and collard greens since I love them both. Not much luck except towards autumn at the Oerlikon market on Saturday mornings.

They also have cavolo nero around that time of year, which is wonderful if you like hardy greens. I had a conversation about this with someone at an Ethiopian restaurant recently-- collard greens are used in Ethiopian dishes but here you won't find it on the menu because apparently there's no ready source. Now and then when I have a craving I cook up kohlrabi greens instead.

Looks like a Saturday trip to Chur is in the books.

Hi Seeingbee,

What do kohlrabi greens taste like? Are they in any way similar to Kale?
cheers

I would say they're a little milder... less bitter than kale. Probably closer to collard greens in taste. The biggest problem is that they're much sparser... you buy the kohlrabi and it has some greens at the top-- if you like kohlrabi that's fine (I use it sometimes to replace potatoes in stew, for example) but if you're buying the whole shebang just for the greens you'll be getting enough for 1 as a mixer into something else...

Thanks seeingbee.
I'm still hunting for Kale! Did you have any luck finding any yet?

No, no joy. But I haven't really been looking either, as I tend to think of it more when the weather gets colder (...wait, I guess this week qualifies after all...). The only widely available possible substitute I can think of is savoy cabbage (here it's called 'wirz' but you've probably already seen it at the migros/coop).

It's kale time!
I just happened upon a big bunch in Migros. (6.50/kg) I'd completely forgotten about this vegetable, which used to be one of my favourites until I moved to Switzerland and forgot it existed. It's got the "aus der Region" sticker on it so I guess it's kale season now.
Mmmm, kale.

It might be more plentiful now... it's supposed to be sweeter after the first frost.

Kale can always be found in the Portuguese stores. But you have to ask which days it comes in. Usually, you have to get it early on Saturday mornings.

Yes Kale is sold after the first frost.

In Bern we ask the market stall holder when they have it in,
and then go and buy it on that day. The same idea is good
for many vegetables, you just have to stimulate their brains
with the German name and they will supply it.

It is known as Grünkohl in German (= green cabbage)

Hello!

We are searching for Kale!
AKA Federkohl oder Grünkohl.

Has anyone seen it in the Basel area?

It's the most amazing energy bring vegetable!!
Let me know!

Thanks, Vanessa

I too have been HUNTING for some precious Kale but am finding no luck
As a Vegan I absolutely adore some Kale but have really been trying to survive without it for the time being. If you happen to stumble across it sometime, please be sure to think of me and let me know about this place, please. And I will do the same for you.

Try across the border I saw it 2-3 weeks ago at Markauf!

You probably won't find it in the usual supermarkets.

Best way is to visit a vegetable market on Saturday morning and order some, then collect it the following Saturday morning.