It's not every day you come across a new vegetable. Kalettes aren’t just new to me, they are new to the world. The cross between kale and Brussels sprouts was developed by Tozer Seeds, a British vegetable breeding company. In an effort to re-energize Brussels sprouts sales, Tozer started working on the hybrid 15 years ago — long before sprouts came back into fashion and kale became the “it” vegetable. (Note: The hybrid was achieved using traditional crossbreeding; no genetic modification required.)

Kalettes are little leafy heads that grow on a thick stem like Brussels sprouts do. But the heads themselves, loose and composed of frilly, green-purple leaves, resemble kale. The taste is milder than most kale and, unlike Brussels sprouts, they don’t have to be blanched or halved or sliced before being roasted or sauteed.

I tossed the Kalettes into a pan with some olive oil and garlic and sauteed them for five minutes. The leaves deepened in color but lost very little volume — unlike, say, spinach or chard, which sauté down to practically nothing. Both taste and texture were very satisfying; I think this vegetable has legs.

Trader Joe’s is selling Kalettes as “Kale Sprouts.” An 8-ounce bag costs $3.49.

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Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D. (center) is flanked by GOP whip Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo. (left) and Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, as Thune speak to reporters at the Capitol in Washington on Tuesday, July 1, 2025. Earlier Tuesday, the Senate passed the budget reconciliation package of President Donald Trump's signature bill of big tax breaks and spending cuts. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP)

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