This is my first year growing 'Red Russian' kale. I decided to grow it after Kim mentioned how pretty it is in one of her blog posts. I've been growing 'Lacinato Blue' kale for the last couple of years, and it has a place in my garden again this year. I'm hoping that with two varieties of kale in the garden, I'll have enough for both myself and the stinkin' cabbage worms.

Kim was absolutely right about how attractive 'Red Russian' is. At this point, the stems are a purplish-pink, and the foliage has a grayish-green cast that I'm loving right now against the beet foliage in the next row.

The flavor is robust, too. 'Red Russian' has a bit more of a bite to it than 'Lacinato.' I'm thinking 'Red Russian' would do well in soups, stir-fries, and, of course on its own sauteed with some good olive oil and garlic. I've been picking the baby leaves and eating them in egg-white omelets, and it is scrumptious.

This one's definitely a keeper!