Italian Kale salad

You need this Italian kale salad in your life.

Italian Kale Salad

Before you groan and think “another kale salad?” I promise this one is different. It’s everything, really.

Washed kale

It’s also a total copycat recipe from the new pizza place in Tucson: Falora. One night this weekend, Livi and I picked up a couple of pizzas and salad to take to Kyle and Meg’s house for dinner. I was excited to try out Falora, as it’s located next to my fave yoga studio (Session Yoga!) and I knew they had Italian wood-fired pizzas. The pizzas were just as delightful as expected, but what really blew me away was the service. I couldn’t find a parking spot in the back, and while thinking of the juggling act of toddler + takeout, I called the restaurant and they ran the order out to the car, no problem at all. It was amazing.

We stuck with the classic margherita; a beautiful smoked salmon, goat cheese, and caramelized onion combo; and this Italian kale salad. It was entirely unlike the usual massaged kale fare with lemon and garlic. Instead, this one had a tangy balsamic vinaigrette, a hint of ginger spice + perfectly salty sundried tomatoes, artichoke hearts, and kalamata olives.

Italian kale salad

Italian Kale Salad for Dinner Parties

Kale salads are also the ultimate entertaining salad because they taste better when made in advance. This gives the kale has time to wilt down, which not only makes it more palatable but easier to digest. If you’re looking for something healthy or green for the upcoming holiday feasts, this would be an awesome contribution. 

Here’s the combo if you’d like to give it a whirl!

kale salad closeup

 

Print

Italian Kale Salad

A twist on the usual massaged kale salad! Make this one in advance to enjoy over the next few days, or as the perfect party salad.

  • Prep Time: 10
  • Total Time: 10
  • Yield: 6 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 10 oz kale, washed, ribs removed and torn into bite-sized pieces

For the dressing

  • 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1 clove minced garlic
  • 1 coin of fresh ginger, grated
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • Salt and pepper to taste

For toppings

  • 1/2 cup each of marinated artichoke hearts, sundried tomatoes and pitted kalamata olives

Instructions

  1. 1. In a large bowl, add the dressing ingredients. Whisk well to combine and taste to adjust seasonings as necessary.
  2. 2. Top with the kale, and using your hands, massage the dressing into the kale.
  3. 3. Add the artichoke hearts, sundered tomatoes and kalamata olives. Store in the fridge until ready to feast!

Notes

  • Take it over the top: add some crumbled feta or herbed goat cheese.

Hope you’re having a wonderful day <3

xoxo

Gina

More kale faves:

Cheezy kale chips

Cool ranch kale chips

Jalapeño kale chips

This amaaaazing avocado almond butter kale salad

Kale Caesar

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21 Comments

  1. Alex @ get big, go to work on November 12, 2014 at 5:04 pm

    Kale salads are my favorite and I love this new, unique take on it. I bet the ginger gives it a nice zing. Sun-dried tomatoes have been my new favorite new so I definitely need to try this one out.

  2. Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious on November 12, 2014 at 6:22 pm

    Yum! Sounds delicious and I love that you can make it ahead too…I’ve never been to Falora in Tucson.

  3. Lauren @ The Bikini Experiment on November 12, 2014 at 6:48 pm

    Sounds wonderful! I love Kale salads.

  4. Christina @ The Beautiful Balance on November 12, 2014 at 7:25 pm

    In my opinion, you can never have too many kale recipes. I love the addition of ginger to your dressing, I am definitely trying that in my next kale salad. I’m pretty boring and always roll with a classic combo of evoo, lemon, garlic, sea salt, and tons of black pepper.

  5. Brynn on November 13, 2014 at 12:07 am

    So glad you’re having a great birthday! This salad sounds delicious- such a fun twist by using kale.

  6. Erin M. on November 13, 2014 at 2:46 am

    This looks delicious! Happy belated Birthday!!

  7. Michele @ paleorunningmomma on November 13, 2014 at 3:40 am

    What a gorgeous and delicious looking salad! I’m a kale fan 🙂

  8. Livi @ Eat, Pray, Work It Out on November 13, 2014 at 3:45 am

    This looks awesome! Can’t wait to make it. Happy belated birthday!!!!

  9. Linda @ TheFitty on November 13, 2014 at 3:55 am

    Looks yummy in my tummy, Gina. I absolutely love salads but they’re a nightmare to bring to classes as they don’t keep cold and fresh in my lunchbox.

    • Fitnessista on November 13, 2014 at 8:17 am

      cold packs! they help a lot 🙂

  10. Cara's Healthy Cravings on November 13, 2014 at 4:07 am

    I can already tell I am going to love this recipe, one can never have too many kale salad recipes!
    Anything with ginger/garlic is a winner in my books, and I agree with the goat cheese addition. mmmm!

  11. Lindsey @ Simply Lindsey on November 13, 2014 at 4:14 am

    This recipe looks great!! You don’t find italian kale salad recipes ever! Most I’ve seen tend to have cream-based dressings. Thank you for this! I think I’ll make it next time I make spaghetti. 😀

  12. Amber @ Busy, Bold, Blessed on November 13, 2014 at 5:58 am

    Pinned! That homemade dressing sounds great. I need to incorporate more greens into my life!

    • Fitnessista on November 13, 2014 at 8:13 am

      let me know if you give it a try! 🙂

  13. Ashley @ A Lady Goes West on November 13, 2014 at 7:46 am

    You know, I’ve never massaged kale. I usually saute it and put it in something else. Thanks for the reminder!

    • Fitnessista on November 13, 2014 at 8:12 am

      let me know if you give it a try! 🙂

  14. Tracy on November 13, 2014 at 9:33 am

    I love the addition of ginger! Unexpected and delicious I’m sure!

    I never get tired of kale salad so never apologize for giving us another 🙂

  15. Erika S. on November 13, 2014 at 3:22 pm

    I la-la-LOVE those marinated artichokes…soooo good. I’m gonna give this a whirl!

  16. Jill on November 13, 2014 at 8:06 pm

    Just made this tonight. LOVED it and so did the Hubby. Does the kid eat it? Mine won’t. She is 4. 😛

    • Fitnessista on November 13, 2014 at 10:26 pm

      so awesome! 🙂 no, she’ll pick the olives out but wasn’t a fan of anything else in this one

  17. Cassie Vaughn on November 19, 2014 at 10:47 am

    Adding the sundried tomatoes sounds genius!

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