329650 Thu Sep 28 14:34:02 -0700 2006 13 27 General Chowhounding Topics 0 1908124 In my efforts to eat healthier, I began eating a spinach salad about every night with dinner. When the spinach got pulled, I went with Kale. The store can't keep kale on the shelf lately, so I'm at a loss. What would be a good substitute with nutritional value as well as taste? I'm pretty new at this green vegetable stuff. Thu Sep 28 14:34:02 -0700 2006 10737 Bobfrmia 1 1908146 How about arugula or escarole? Thu Sep 28 14:39:29 -0700 2006 1908124 40018 andlulu 1 1908215 Wilted swiss chard is sooo much better than wilted spinach. Has more substance and no aftertaste. I don't think you can really eat raw swiss chard, though. Thu Sep 28 15:06:09 -0700 2006 1908124 21780 christinea 1 1908248 Mache all the way. great nutritional value, good raw and cooked. Thu Sep 28 15:20:43 -0700 2006 1908124 25247 Veggietales 2 1916948 Mache is wonderful. Can be found at Trader Joes and Whole foods. Check out: http://www.epicroots.com/ Mon Oct 02 19:49:34 -0700 2006 1908248 11160 Pablo 1 1908284 Kale is not good raw in salad, unless (1) it's clearly be sweetened by a good frost, and (2) you chiffonade it so its easier to ingest. It's really meant for cooking, where it is superlative. You should specify if only want recommendations for raw vs cooked. Young beet greens and collard greens are worth considering. Bok choy, and other Chinese cabbages, too. Thu Sep 28 15:33:00 -0700 2006 1908124 13819 Karl S 2 1908848 I wasn't real specific, was I. My daughter turned me on to Kale, and yes, I cook it. What I want is something Good that I don't have to cook. I just want a salad I can throw my olives, peppers, mushrooms etc in. Thu Sep 28 18:18:09 -0700 2006 1908284 10737 Bobfrmia 3 1910876 Tender young mustard is delightful in a salad adn has a very peppery bite. Fri Sep 29 15:46:04 -0700 2006 1908848 10285 Candy 1 1908308 watercress makes a great salad. It's also really good steamed with a little salt. I really recommend that you go to a Chiense supermarket and check out the veggies there (though you should cook them to remove the bite) Chinese Kale is good stir-fried (stems first, then add the leaves). I like On-choy/Tung choy which has a hollow stem, also stir fried. There's also Yeen-Choy which is a red spinach, boil or stir-fry. Choy-sum, it's similar to the Chinese Kale but not bitter and more tender. Basically go to a Chinese supermarket if you want to try different leafy greans. Thu Sep 28 15:44:07 -0700 2006 1908124 23150 eco987 1 1908316 Most of the leafy greeens are best cooked, as other posters mentioned. In addition, you can consider Mustard Greens Collard Greens Chicory Tatsoi Bok Choi or any of the Chinese cabbages Turnip greens Lamb's quarter These have more nutrients than any lettuces you could substitute for spinach. But, if you are really into salad, romaine is fairly nutritious lettuce. Thu Sep 28 15:46:59 -0700 2006 1908124 19646 laguera 1 1911336 For my green salads,I like to toss together a mix of the most nutritious lettuces like mache and romaine, (previously mentioned), especially the newer red-leaf romaine, or a really colorful softer red leaf lettuce. Go for the lettuces with the brightest colors -- that's where the healthy antioxidants are. I love spinach, any kind of "florentine" dish, and I prefer to make the most of the carotinoids by eating it lightly steamed, then sauteed with olive oil, minced garlic and a little salt and pepper. Very tasty. Raw spinach is highest of all the greens in oxalic acid, which binds to some of the minerals, making them unavailable to your body. I don't care for a whole plate of raw spinach salad at all, but when the recall is over, I'll occasionally add a few raw spinach leaves into my other greens. I think raw spinach is healthier in moderation. Fri Sep 29 18:06:23 -0700 2006 1908124 13787 Moka 1 1912854 Spinach is okay again! Sat Sep 30 06:12:16 -0700 2006 1908124 14620 hummingbird 2 1913065 Only if it's not from California. Sat Sep 30 14:13:09 -0700 2006 1912854 11995 pikawicca 1 1916389 I can only suggest kale, swiss chard, turnip greens, mustard greens, arugula, watercress, stuff like that. Or, you could try some of the ready-washed Chinese greens and cabbages. TT Mon Oct 02 16:49:47 -0700 2006 1908124 19247 TexasToast