A couple of years ago the Internet went crazy for Trader Joe’s cauliflower gnocchi, but is cauliflower really anyone’s favorite vegetable? Do you like it? Well, that’s the question you have to ask yourself with the new Trader Joe’s Kale Gnocchi ($2.99 for a 12 oz bag). Do you like kale?
From kale chips to the massaged kale salad, this leafy green has been trendy for the last decade. But suddenly last September, The Atlantic was ready to declare it nearly dead. Google search data cited in the article indicated that kale was at less than half its 2014 peak in search popularity. Sales data from one source showed kale was in decline.
But I gotta tell ya, that’s not the case at my house. I like lacinato kale and buy it weekly. I’m still making that massaged kale salad and I put it on pizza. Kale is a must in minestrone. Though I never went gaga over the Trader Joe’s Cauliflower Gnocchi, I like the kale version!
Trader Joe’s Kale Gnocchi has better heft than the cauliflower gnocchi, which I’ve always found too soft and chewy, even when you pan fry it. The bag suggests you can pan fry (preferred) or boil them. I didn’t want to leach out any of the color or vitamins, so I pan fried them. Also, salt them (just a pinch) when they’re done cooking.
If you’re on the fence about kale, sauce is going to make the difference. I heated up a bag of summer tomato sauce from the freezer and served them with a dollop of whipped ricotta with grated Parmigiano Reggiano and a little bit of nutmeg. Extra parm for garnish.
Going with the colors of the Italian flag was the obvious option, but an alfredo-like cream sauce or just butter and a huge handful of parm would be good, too.
I’m not sure they’re gonna make it into my cart on the regular, but I’d definitely pick these up over the cauliflower. No, seriously.
Check out our other recent We Tried’s from Trader Joe’s:
Everything But the Bagel Yogurt Dip
Turmeric Ginger Coconut Beverage