How to Cook Kale Raab

By: Sarah Bourque

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Many people do not know that kale raab is fit to eat, let alone delicious, but it's actually sweeter and more delicate than actual kale leaves. The small, yellow flower bud clusters that pop up when kale crops are about to go to seed are known as kale raab, or kale rabe. This little-used treat makes for an impressive ingredient, but is surprisingly easy to prepare. Quick cooking will highlight the fragrant, clean taste of your kale raab.

Sautee

Step 1

Add a thin layer of olive oil to the bottom of a saute pan or wok. Heat the oil over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the kale raab to the hot oil. Sprinkle with a bit of salt.

Step 3

Saute the kale raab, stirring occasionally. Cook for about 3 to 7 minutes, or until the raab is tender, with the thin stalks still slightly crisp.

Step 4

Add some minced garlic, lemon juice and pepper, if desired. Serve immediately.

Steam

Step 1

Fill a large pot with a few inches of water, or enough to barely reach the bottom of the steamer insert. Bring the water to a boil over high heat.

Step 2

Add the kale raab to the pot. Sprinkle the raab with some salt. Cover the pot with a tightly fitting lid and reduce the heat to medium.

Step 3

Let the kale raab steam, undisturbed, for about 5 minutes. Remove the raab when it is tender, but the thin stalks are still crisp. Drizzle with some olive oil and lemon juice and sprinkle with salt and pepper, if desired.

Blanch

Step 1

Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil over high heat. Add a handful of salt to the water. Add the kale raab to the water.

Step 2

Boil the kale raab for about 3 minutes. Remove when it is a darker shade of green and slightly cooked, but still a bit crisp.

Step 3

Use a spider utensil to scoop the raab out of the boiling water, working in batches if needed. Transfer the kale raab into the ice water. Stir the raab around a bit to completely submerge it in the ice water to stop the cooking process.

Step 4

Use the spider to remove the kale raab from the ice water. Toss the spider around a bit under warm running water, if needed, to melt and leftover any ice cubes that still remain in the raab.

Step 5

Turn off the water. Hold the spider over the sink, and push down on the raab to squeeze out the water. Transfer the raab to a clean kitchen towel to drain off the rest of the water.