Cavolo nero and the curse of the whitefly

I love my Cavolo nero, the Italian cabbage that is easy to grow and tastes lovely, not least for its non-cabbagey taste  - no reminders of overcooked school dinners when you prepare this vegetable. The youngest leaves are good steamed but Italian chefs suggest frying in olive oil with garlic and chillies.

But there's a problem: the puckered leaves provide a snug home for whitefly, and while they don't do much in the way of damage, the little buggers are very tricky to remove before cooking. Last time they ended up either being washed down the sink as I splashed water everywhere while scrubbing the leaves, or flying up to a sticky death on the extractor fan.

Is there are better way to clear whitefly, either while the cavolo nero is growing, or once it's harvested? Do make any suggestions in the comments below.

Comments

[FactoBrunt]

The Green Gardener does some whitefly treatments; see their whitefly page: http://www.greengardener.co.uk/whitefly.htm.

[Patrick]

I have no idea if this would work or not.

I would experiment with some things like submerging the leaves in water for several hours to try to drown them, dipping the leaves briefly in hot water, putting the leaves in a closed container with a spirit like vodka or whisky in hopes the fumes intoxicate them (you might try putting the leaves in a steamer basket and covered pan then gently heating the spirit). I think really about anything along these lines that doesn't involve poison or won't change the flavor too much might be worth trying.

Of course it may just cause them to die and stick to the leaves even worse...

[Iain]

Not sure if it just cooks them and hides the effect but I have in the past poured hot water over the leaves which seems to clear them as well as the residue the leave. Of course it may just be the water makes the residue translucent so I eat it without knowing!!!!

I well know the feeling though for because of last years problems with w/fly I didn't grow any of the Kales this year :O(

[Frankie]

The only thing that works for me is a gentle scrubbing brush. I still manage to soak myself and the kitchen and it takes ages. Good job the kale is so tasty.