‘Nero di Toscana’, ‘Cavolo Nero’, or literally ‘Black Cabbage’.
A hardy, dark colour form of kale that was cultivated in 18th Century Northern Italy. The plant grows to a height of two feet, with blistered leaves often over 30 cm (1 ft) in length and 5–10 cm (2–4 in) wide. Historically Cavolo Nero has been used to fill the ‘hungry gap’ over late winter and early spring, before the spring crops come to harvest.