Alley Cat’s Eats & Sweets’ Massaged Kale Salad

Tastemaker

By Anna Faller | April 30, 2022

At Alley Cat’s Eats & Sweets, mama-food is the name of the game. Founded in May 2021 by hospitality veteran Allie Gualco and her mother, Kristen “KJ” Joppich, this no-frills food truck is fully committed to filling your belly and fortifying your soul. “I don’t think it’s complicated,” says Gualco. “Everybody has to eat, and a good meal can make a bad day better.” With a selection of “eclectic picnic food,” the eatery’s carefully-curated menu rotates to showcase seasonal produce. But Mama always told us to eat our veggies, so the Massaged Kale Salad is a daily staple. To build the dish, Gualco starts with locally-sourced organic kale, which she gently rubs with lemon juice. From there, she tosses the leafy greens with toasted pumpkin seeds and plenty of nutritional yeast before finishing this flavor-packed plate with garlic crispies and a scratch-made vinaigrette. Crunchy, fresh, and oh-so-satisfying, this wholesome snack is an easy pick for a little extra “vitamin L” (that’s love!). Find them parked at Short's Pull Barn & Production Facility at 211 Industrial Park Drive, Elk Rapids, or alleycatseats.com