Welcome to The Fancy Fork! Your hub for seasonal produce insight and farm-style recipes that are made to satisfy.

The featured seasonal produce for December is winter kale, which, remarkably, becomes even sweeter after a snowy frost. In fact, the third president of the United States, Thomas Jefferson, was known to be captivated by the texture and flavors of the different varieties that his very own garden always overflowed with in the early 1800s.

While kale can add robust flavors to a variety of dishes, did you know that unlike many vegetables, cooking kale does not diminish any of its nutritional benefits? It’s truly a fighter! With its rich contents of cancer-preventatives, like glucosinolate phytonutrients, kale has been studied to potentially block cancerous enzymes and reduce the development of tumors. In addition, kale can reduce Type 2 diabetes, is a super food for omega-3 fatty acids that improve both brain and heart health, as well as providing nearly double the amount of Vitamin C as a single orange. That means that one cup of kale has over 130% of daily recommended Vitamin C intake!

Slow-Cooked Chicken Chili with Kale

Servings: 4

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. ground chicken
• 2 c. butternut or acorn squash, chopped in bite-sized pieces
• 3 c. winter kale, chopped
• ½ white onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed or minced
• 1 c. chicken broth
• 2 c. tomato puree
• 1 (14.5 oz. container) diced tomatoes, fire-roasted
• 1-2 celery stalks, finely chopped
• 1 Tbsp. tomato paste
• 1 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
• 1 Tbsp. dried oregano
• 1 Tbsp. chili powder
• ½ tsp. red pepper flakes
• 1 tsp. sea salt
• 1 tsp. ground cumin

 Instructions:

• In a large pot over medium heat, add in the extra virgin olive oil to warm up for 1 minute. Add in the minced garlic, chopped onions, cubed squash, and ground chicken to cook until the garlic is fragrant, about 2-3 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste.
• Add in the remaining ingredients, then give the chili a good stir to mix it all together. Bring to a gentle boil, then simmer for 40-60 minutes. Every 15-20 minutes use a wooden spoon to stir the chili and break up the ground chicken. Add more broth, according to personal preference.
• For serving: Garnish with your favorite chili toppings. A few suggestions include sliced jalapeños, corn, thinly chopped fresh kale, cilantro, avocado, and lime wedges.

Now that you’ve mastered the art of cooking with winter kale, it’s time to grab your fork and enjoy the warmth of Winter season delights!