It wasn’t until I left the United States and did not have kale in my life that I became acutely aware of kale everywhere else. It was like my eyes had kale radar and anytime I went near a market, garden, farm or anything remotely green, I would immediately look for kale leaves. Long, gorgeous, green curly kale leaves.
I was pleasantly surprised when I spotted kale on a recent trip to Berlin. While I normally enjoy checking out grocery stores in different countries as a unique way to absorb a different culture, I did not have the time on this short weekend (it was actually to talk to some very smart people about The Kale Project!) and this German kale caught my eye in a community garden.
Berlin struck me as an innovative, artistic and budding city full of spirit and this garden, Prizessinnengarten (which stands for Princess Gardens) is no exception. What was once wasteland amidst the Berlin Wall in the Moritzplatz section, was transformed in 2009 by neighbors, friends and family. It has evolved into a green space full of organic vegetable plots and a small cafe which further encourages positive interaction with citizens. It wasn’t until I discovered the kale and garden that I did more research. I feel even more lucky to have stumbled upon this German kale grown with so much love!
Ironically, through The Kale Project, I was recently connected via blogging to a recent Berlin transplant via New York, Storks and Wolves, who was also having a hard time finding kale. She had just joined a community garden and was very excited to begin growing her own kale with new found gardening friends.
I’ve heard from a few native German people that kale does exist and goes by the name Grünkohl and that it’s something kids are forced to eat as punishment!
Have you ever lived in Germany and if so, what are your kale stories? Easy to find? Hard to find? How is it served or is it mainly cooked at home?
If you have a second, check out the Prinzessinnengarten blog and site – it’s quite inspiring!