Prep & Assembly
Massage
Knead tough greens by hand to soften and tenderize them raw
Massaging works tough raw greens like kale by hand, sometimes with a little oil and salt, breaking down the fibers so they soften, darken, and turn tender enough to eat raw. It's a quick, hands-on trick for raw salads. Scrunch and rub for a minute or two until the leaves wilt and shrink.
Massaging works tough raw greens like kale by hand, often with a little oil and salt, breaking down the fibers so they soften, darken, and turn tender enough to eat raw. It's a quick, hands-on trick for raw salads. Scrunch and rub for a minute or two until the leaves wilt.
- Difficulty
- Easy
How to do it
- 1
Strip the leaves from the stems and tear them up.
- 2
Add a little oil and a pinch of salt.
- 3
Scrunch and rub the leaves firmly between your hands.
- 4
Continue until they wilt, darken, and reduce in volume.
Common uses
Tips & pitfalls
- Salt and a touch of acid speed the tenderizing.
- Massaged kale keeps well — it won't wilt soggy like lettuce.
- A minute or two is plenty; over-massaging turns it slimy.
Good to know
- Tool
- Your hands, oil, salt
- Best for
- Kale, collards, other tough greens
- Cue
- Leaves darken, soften, and shrink
Also called
massage kale
Dishes that rely on it
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