Kale's moniker in other languages is highly descriptive: the French call it chou frisé (curly cabbage), the Germans Krauskohl (crispy cabbage), the Italians cavolo arricciato (curled cabbage), the Spanish col rizada (curly cabbage) and the Dutch boerenkool (farm cabbage). The Irish considered the plant to have supernatural powers and said that fairies rode kale stalks during the new moon. It has been said that when an Irish farmer finds the curly leaves in disorder at first light, it means his crops will all flourish and grow tall.
From The Food Encyclopedia by Jacques Rolland and Carol Sherman
