I never use big leaves, I just take the tender ones. But I usually only grow the curly stuff now, we went over to the dark side a couple of years ago and found it too strong for my palate. Try cooking it another way instead of boiling the @rse out if it try sauted kale with olive oil and garlic, arrange it on a plate with a dressing in the shape of the mark of Zorro and instead of dining on a ten bob meal you think you will will be paying guineas for it.