Kalettes Are The Kale And Brussels Sprouts Mashup You Need To Try

The food landscape is constantly evolving, and with it, how and what we eat. At grocery stores, new varieties of fruits and veggies seemingly appear out of thin air. Everyone's familiar with Red Delicious. Although at one point the poster child for apples, today's produce section offers a much wider selection. Just as orchardists use cross-pollination to create new apple varieties, growers are combining and cultivating to create other completely new fruits and veggies.

Whether you know it or not, your favorite vegetable may be a human-made hybrid. Hybrids are fruits or vegetables created by mating two varieties or cultivars of the same species or genus, unlike GMOs, which are made in a lab. Aside from taste and nutrition, hybrid foods are more resilient in harsh conditions and offer consistent growth patterns. Broccolini and tangelos are two examples of popular hybrids commonly sold at grocery stores. 

Kalettes are a newer hybrid dark leafy green variety that has recently gained popularity. A fusion of kale and Brussels sprouts was created by a British vegetable-breeding company named Tozer Seeds and introduced to the U.S. in the fall of 2014. But what are these cute-sized leafy greens? We look to answer that question and more with a detailed overview of what's sure to become a new favorite.

It took nearly 15 years for Tozer Seeds to create market-ready kalette greens.  Developing new species requires patience; it takes a year to see the effects of a single adjustment. The company hoped to offer a vegetable as attractive, versatile, and easy to cook as kale. Initial experimentation began in 1995 with Dr. Jamie Claxton, who was newer to the company at the time but inspired further research after successfully producing the first kalette. Kalette seeds are sown in March, harvested beginning in mid-November, and usually stay in season through the following March. The sowing to harvesting period can vary based on the climate of the region.

Kalettes are grown and harvested similarly to Brussels sprouts but need more time to mature. Depending on the variety, it can take 110 days to 138 days. Fertile soil with a pH of 6.5-7.5 is ideal, along with adequate irrigation. If it contains too much nitrogen, you'll end up with unattractive, overly leafy florets, so for best results, kalettes should be grown in cool weather and fertilized at 75% of the nitrogen used for Brussels sprouts.

Kalettes' other leafy parent is notoriously known for putting frowns on the faces of children. Quasi-similar in appearance yet more leafy, Brussels sprouts are native to the Mediterranean and have been grown since the 13th century. They taste grassy like kale but carry an even more robust earthiness. If you're part of the anti-Brussels sprouts club, kalettes have an accessible taste that you might prefer. Both can be enjoyed raw, but Brussels has considerably more bite and bitterness, which makes them an acquired addition to salads.

Across Britain and America, Brussels sprouts are a popular appetizer on many restaurant menus. They're commonly sauteéd, flash-fried, roasted, or braised and paired with bacon, balsamic vinegar, and more. Kalettes can be prepared in the same ways, but due to their tender consistency, they cook faster and are easier to over-flavor. Nutrition-wise, Brussels sprouts and kalettes are both great sources of fiber, with kalettes offering a bit less. 

Kalettes can be prepared in a variety of ways and fairly easily, too, even for beginners. Although roasting is the most popular, you can cook them just like Brussels sprouts and kale. Sauteéing, pan-frying, grilling, and braising are all fair game. The best part? Kalettes take less time to cook than Brussels sprouts and also don't require as much prep. When roasting, 475 degrees F is the ideal temperature for succulent caramelized kalettes with a crispy bite. It'll only cost you 10 minutes of your time to enjoy a taste that's sure to stick with you all day.

You can flavor kalettes with chopped garlic, mushrooms, and onions for an easy snack, or switch it up with your preferred combination of leafy green-friendly ingredients. Drizzle them with your favorite salad dressing or savory sauce for a delicious and nutritious meal. Avoid boiling kalettes, though, as they are too light to absorb hot water and will quickly turn soggy.

Although kalettes have been around since 2014, there are still lots of people who have never heard of them. You can buy these leafy florets fresh on a stalk and pre-packaged as well. Unlike Brussels sprouts and kale, most major grocery stores do not commonly stock kalettes. When they do, it's only in limited quantities, as searching online yields few results. Nationwide retailer Kroger carries kalettes, yet you'll have to call specific locations to check if they are in stock first. They appear on the company's website, but it says "Item Unavailable." 

Kroger owns several major grocery brands along the West Coast as well, some of which include Food 4 Less, Fred Meyer, and Ralphs. There is a possibility that one of these stores carries kalettes. Texas-based private supermarket chain H-E-B offers a brand called Mann's, which sells pre-packaged kalettes. There are over a hundred locations throughout Texas. Costco was reported to carry pre-packaged kalettes in 2020 and even lists them in the company's inventory, yet it isn't clear whether they still do.

Another way to get your hands on kalettes is by ordering them as part of a seasonal produce box. New York City-based produce delivery service Farm To People offers them as an option to add to your assortment when in season. Sadly, at the moment, they appear to be out of stock.

Purchase Mann's Kalette's on H-E-B for $2.54.

Purchase 6 oz. of Kalette's on Farm To People for $4.39.

If your local grocery store happens to have kalettes available, it may stock one of several breeds. Maine-based seed breeder Johnny's Selected Seeds grows three varieties named Autumn Star, Mistletoe, and Snow Drop respectively. The biggest distinguishing characteristic between the three is how quickly each matures when sowed. Grocery stores that operate along the west coast will most likely stock all kalette types interchangeably, while if you reside in the Deep South, Autumn Star and Mistletoe are the most common.

The North and Midwest sell all three varieties as well, with Autumn Star and Mistletoe again being most common in the Mid-Atlantic states. Regardless of the variety, kalettes generally require a little under five months to mature. Whether Autumn Star, Mistletoe, or Snow Drop, you can expect the same deliciously sweet, earthy, and nutty taste. In fact, choosing between varieties is the least of your concerns, as actually finding a local stockist may be more of a challenge.