Croup is also known as laryngotracheitis, a medical term that describes the inflammation of the trachea (windpipe) and larynx. Parainfluenza viruses are the typical root cause of the infection, but influenza (flu) and cold viruses may sometimes be responsible.
Harvest entire kale plants at 60 to 80 days after germination when they are full size and no longer growing larger. Gather the leaves of one kale plant upward and hold them in this position. Cut across the bottom of the plant, horizontally about 1 inch above ground level to harvest the entire plant for side dishes, main dishes, soups or stews. Place the plants in a container to transport them indoors for storage or use.
Now tender, with the bitterness removed, your blanched kale is perfect on a pizza, in a lasagna, or as a simple cold side dish with a drizzle of sesame oil and a dash of soy sauce or tamari. Soup it. Kale is a fantastic way to add a whole bunch of extra goodness to soups and stews. Remove the leaves from the stem and cut them into 1 inch wide ribbons. Personally, I enjoy the texture of the kale, so I add it at the very end of the cooking process, to keep it from getting soft and mushy.