Collard greens 'Ultracross' (Brassica oleracea acephala), Offered by Le Potager Ornemental de Catherine
Collard greens 'Ultracross' are a hardy, productive variety prized for their mild, more subtle flavor than kale. This non-headed cabbage , also known as collard greens or Portuguese greens , forms large, tender, nutritious leaves that are perfect for stir-fries, soups, and stews.
This variety is part of The Heirloom Collard Project, aimed at preserving and improving traditional collards. It is very cold hardy , tolerates climatic variations well and is ideal for aeroponic cultivation .
Characteristics of the variety
Type : Biennial (grown as an annual)
Plant habit : Erect, not headed
Height : Up to 80 cm
Foliage : Large, soft green
Flavor : Mild, more delicate than kale
Maturity : 60 days
Tolerance : Very cold resistant and adaptable to various climates
Use : Stir-fries, soups, stews
🌱 Cultivation method
🌞 Exposure : Full sun or partial shade
🌱 Sowing :
• Indoors 1 to 6 weeks before transplanting
• Direct sowing 3 to 4 weeks before the last frost
📏 Sowing depth : 6 mm
🌡 Germination temperature : 18-24°C
⏳ Germination time : 7 to 14 days
🌿 Spacing : 10 to 30 cm between plants
💦 Watering : Regular, well-drained and rich soil
🌾 Harvest : Tender leaves to be cut as needed
Thanks to its cold resistance and easy cultivation , 'Ultracross' collard greens are ideal for continuous and generous production , even in cool climates.
Use and special features
🥣 A key ingredient of the famous Caldo Verde
Very popular in Portugal , this cabbage is the base of the traditional Caldo Verde soup , a comforting and iconic dish.
🌱 A resilient and adaptable cabbage
Tolerates cold well, grows in open ground or in aeroponic culture and adapts to varied conditions .
✂️ Extended and continuous harvest
Picking the leaves as they come stimulates production for a harvest until the first frost .
🥣 Traditional recipe for Caldo Verde (Portuguese collard soup)
Ingredients (for 4 people):
- 200 g of 'Ultracross' collard greens (or Portuguese cabbage), finely chopped
- 4 medium potatoes , peeled and cut into chunks
- 1 onion , chopped
- 2 cloves garlic , chopped
- 1 chorizo (or smoked sausage), thinly sliced
- 1.5 L chicken or vegetable broth
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper , to taste
Preparation :
1️⃣ Sauté the onion and garlic in olive oil over medium heat until translucent.
2️⃣ Add potatoes and broth, bring to a boil and cook until tender (about 15 minutes).
3️⃣ Blend the soup until it has a velvety texture.
4️⃣ Add the chopped cabbage and cook for 5 minutes until it remains tender and slightly crunchy.
5️⃣ Add the slices of chorizo , adjust the seasoning and serve very hot with a drizzle of olive oil.
🍲 Tip: Serve with Portuguese cornbread for an authentic experience!
