A to Z Challenge: K is for Kale

This month, I’m taking part in the A-Z Blogging Challenge, the annual event where hundreds of bloggers write 26 blogs—one for each letter of the alphabet—and post them each day of April, except Sundays. This year, I’m blogging about: THINGS THAT GROW IN ALBERTA. Don’t forget to check back daily and leave a comment on my blog, Facebook page, Twitter, Tumblr or via email at chase.superman.duffy@gmail.com. I’ll randomly pick a few winners who will WIN a SIGNED copy of one of the Chase “Superman Duffy” comics.

I’m not really a big fan of spinach—at least not when it’s cooked. (Yuck!) So, imagine my skepticism when my mom steamed up some kale for dinner the other night. I didn’t even know what it was, except that it looked suspiciously like spinach.

But you know what? It was DELICIOUS.

And apparently good for me. Kale is considered one of the "super" foods, filled with vitamins A, B6, C and K, not to mention a dose of calcium, magnesium, potassium, and a bunch of other healthy stuff.

But wait, there’s more!

Kale is also loaded with micronutrients, which are associated with the prevention of cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Super, right?

So this year I’m going to try growing kale. Grandma says the plant can tolerate cooler temperatures, and a touch of frost may even intensify the flavour. (Go figure!) As soon as the soil can be worked, I’m going to plant my seeds. Wish me luck!

One problem, though. Kale can attract a lot of bugs, and not always the good kind. I think I’ll have to ask my sister to help me figure out which ones are bad.  Remember, Amelia? She’s the junior entomologist (aka: bug expert) in our family. You can read about her in the fifth Chase “Superman" Duffy book, AMELIA XERCES DUFFY—which you can WIN right now by commenting below, or on any of the social media links above.

What “super food” are you growing in YOUR garden this year?

Gotta jet! See you tomorrow for the letter L.

— Chase Superman Duffy