Winter is officially here and I hope all of you are staying warm. It’s been pretty freezing in Paris but the trade-off is the sun finally decided to come out. And it sounds like there is a nasty flu going around in America. I hope it does not decide to cross the pond.
While this is not a new discovery, I realized that I never officially shared the news that the awesome co-op, Le retour de la terre, is selling kale.
One kale-lover told me that upon check-out, the salesperson was very excited to be ringing up “le curly kale,” as the shop is calling it.
This is a better time than never to officially post about this as most market supply is finished for the winter. If you’re able to buy some kale here, freezing it is a good option.
Le retour à la terre
1 rue La Goff, 5ème
+33 1 56 81 10 37
Le retour à la terre
114 Avenue Philippe-Auguste, 11ème
+33 1 44 93 81 81
I recommend that you call the shop to double check if they have kale that day. As it is the winter season, supply is not guaranteed.
destinydelish says
I have to tell you, the store management is VERY accommodating. I stopped in earlier this week to look for kale and ended up requesting that they order enough for four persons, as I’m leading a group of vegan shoppers on a little tour of the store on Saturday and want to introduce them to kale. The produce has arrived and they’re holding it for us as promised. Yay!! (And I accomplished this all in French – I’m so thrilled I’m improving.)
As a back-up, I bought a bag of kale and another of swiss chard that I’m packing in my suitcase from NY today. I combed Place Monge last week and found none, but I’ll keep looking…. Since Saturday is market day at Place Maubert, maybe I should show them to the vendors and introduce it to kale and chard, too. ;)
Thanks for the tips on freezing. I’m afraid my hoarding it will create a huge overflow and I can only make so many kale chips!
Le Kitchen Bloggen says
I just found your site thanks to Libefood, happy and depressed at the same time because I have been looking for kale for a while now (I live in Lyon, France) but haven’t found it. You are doing an excellent job, and I hope kale will be as common as other vegetables soon or at least “foundable”
destinydelish says
FYI – The store was able to order the kale for me and my little group but, because of the snow, the delivery never arrived. The manager, Juliette, told me she’d spoken to ‘Le Kale Project’ and that she could order some for (you), as well. Luckily, for me that day, I’d carried some over in my suitcase, just in case for a dinner party on Sat. Whew!
kristen says
Thank you! So… good news for you. A Lyon farmer (organic!) just contacted me this week and is very interested in growing kale for the upcoming season. I will be sure to keep you posted with all updates!
Le Kitchen Bloggen says
Yes please do so! As I’m looking for farmers here in Lyon,(Im staring up a restaurant) could you please tell me who that farmer is?
kristen says
Hi again, Here is the farm: http://www.jardinsdevartan.com. If you send me an email, I will send you more contact details. kaleprojectparis@gmail.com Good luck with your restaurant – such great news!
Le Kitchen Bloggen says
Oh it’s Gerard! It was me who talked to him about you. He’s great, a very profesional and nice person. His vegetables are amazing and many of them are organic.
kristen says
yes! he seems lovely so i’m excited that he’s so interested.
destinydelish says
It seems like a fluke that the first time I went to Le Retour they had kale in stock, for I’ve never seen it since. Nor was there any at the marché Bastille, or several other places I’ve checked. Any longer and I may have to resort to ordering from Bob’s Juice Bar!
I met someone here in Paris last week who has kale seeds. He’s happy to supply someone who is willing and able to grow some for us.
kristen says
I know a lot of people that had success with Le retour–I think it just depends on the day. Same Terroir. As for Marché Bastille, Monsieur Baudry’s supply ran out awhile ago. He sold everything he grew! Bob’s supplier was Terroir d’Avenir and he actually stopped selling it because their supply is not always reliable.
As for seeds, finding them in France is not hard at all and most farmers have their own sources.
Many of the farmers that had supply this autumn did not replant a second crop to have supply through the winter because they never thought it would sell so well (little did they know…).
I do know that a large group of them have all been talking about kale and realize it’s something people want now – and not just a few random Americans, so it’s on the docket for upcoming harvests!
Le Kitchen Bloggen says
Well, since I live in Lyon that will be a bit complicated. But thank you for the information anyway.