Couve-Galega

Crop: Brassica oleracea L. var. acephala (Collard)

‘The Portuguese folknames used for the different morphotypes of ‘Couve-Galega’ are closely related to:

• The place where they grow: ‘Couve de Horto’ or ‘Couve da Horta’ (=vegetable garden cole), ‘Horto’ or the equivalent ‘Hortus’ in Latin (=vegetable garden), ‘Couve Horteira’ (=cole of vegetable garden), and ‘Couve dos Quintais’ (=backyard cole);
• The purpose of use: ‘Couve do/para Caldo Verde’ (cole for ‘Caldo Verde’ soup) and ‘Couve de Desfolhar’ (cole for leaf plucking);
• The morphological characteristics: ‘Couve Verde’ or ‘Coivão’, the equivalent Latin and derivatives ‘Berza’, ‘Berqa’, ‘Verza’ or ‘Versa’ (=green cole), ‘Couve de Todo-o-Ano’ (=all-year-round cole) and ‘Couve Brava’ (=wild cole).
• The socio-economic context where they are cultivated: ‘Couve Ratinha’ (=little mouse cole) is another folkname frequently used in the south provinces of Portugal, ‘Ribatejo’ and ‘Alto Alentejo’, derive from the name given to the wandering groups of land-labourers ‘ratinhos’ (=little mice) who came from the poor central inland regions of Portugal.

During the Middle Age, the consumption of vegetables was not very common among the rich classes. Fresh vegetables would be especially appreciated by the elements of the poorer classes. ‘Caldo verde’ soup potato broth and kale (‘Couve-Galega’) originated in the mid-15th century and the kale production started in the northern provinces of Portugal, specifically in the Minho region. Over the years, the recipe was adapted according to the regions in which it was prepared. It has turned into a traditional Portuguese dish much consumed during winter nights, in popular parties in Portugal and also in Brazil and others Lusophone countries. This type of kale is also used in a traditional recipe called ‘feijoada’.

‘Couve-Galega’ has a large variability. There are morphotypes, all with white petals, with smooth and curled leaves, leaves dark green to green or more or less waxy (blue gray green) and with various heights according to different juvenile periods and vernalization requirements. It has plenty of large leaves with long petioles, leaves can be curly or smooth, forming no head, and a long stem reaching over 1 m high at mature stage before bolting. Emission of leaves occurs during the last two years, as flowering needs vernalization. Fruitification only occurs in the second year. However, there are morphotypes of greater persistence called ‘kale of seven years’ which continue to form new lateral leaves. The shape of the plant is an inverted pyramid-dome or pyramid.

Cultivation System: low-input conditions.