Convincing myself I like kale was a long, hard road with many hurdles, but here I am, 24 years old, and all about green smoothies. Of course, just as I was coming around to consuming mass amounts of that leafy stuff, there's a new trendy vegetable on the scene, and it's, um, a bit different: is seaweed the next kale? Definitely... maybe. At least, that's what the New Yorker wants us to think — and I'm kind of into it. Oh, did you think seaweed was just for mermaids?
Seaweed is not just some random choice that the food world decided would be next in line for the Most Popular Green Thing. I mean, it's kind of slimy and slippery, and it's essentially an ocean weed — both of which are elements that make it a tough sell. But what seaweed has above pretty much any other vegetable that we currently consume is that it has a negative footprint. Negative. You know like how celery is negative calories? It's like that. But with the environment. Which is way, way more important.
Confused? Let me explain. As opposed to most crops that put pressure on their ecosystems, seaweed gives back to the ocean by absorbing dissolved nitrogen, phosphorous, and carbon dioxide. As New Yorker writer Dana Goodyear describes it, "kelp is the culinary equivalent of an electric car."
With the seaweed snack market exploding, there are more options than ever to try your hand at this protein-rich ocean veggie. Check out some of these tasty-sounding options!
Trader Joe's Wasabi Roasted Seaweed Snack
Like potato chips, but, you know, good for you.
Maine Coast Sea Vegetables Kelp Powder
Great for smoothies!
Maine Coast Dulse Flakes
Sprinkle some on a salad for a nice, salty finish.
Images: Valeriia/Fotolia; Giphy; Amazon (3)
