a treasured national dish in Portugal, caldo verde  is a thick potato, kale, and  chouriço or linguiça sausage soup.  Served as a humble one-course meal or as part of a multi-course dinner, caldo verde’s distinctive flavor is enjoyed by humble and distinguishing palettes alike.  While cabbage is often substituted when kale is not available, it is the strongly flavored Portuguese kale that gives the soup it’s flavor, and the fine cut method of its preparation, its texture.