What Is That Vegetable?

Asked by CynthiaY. Answered on 21st September 2012

Full question

What is the green leafy vegetable that Nigella is holding in the photograph accompanying announcement of Nigellissima? I've been able to buy it twice but don't know the name and would like to.

Our answer

In the photograph on Nigella's website she is holding a vegetable called cavolo nero. It is a type of brassica and related to kale. It is a vegetable that is popular all over Italy and is also known as Tuscan kale and black cabbage.

Cavolo nero is now found in many supermarkets and is also being grown in other countries, such as the UK and the US, so you should also find it in farmers' markets during autumn and winter, when it is in season. It is a key ingredient in ribolitta, a classic Tuscan soup, and can be steamed, stir-fried or braised. Cavolo nero can also be used instead of cabbage in many vegetable dishes.