Differences Between Escarole and Spinach

Let’s face it, when it comes to cooking a beautiful dinner, we all have a big list of veggies to pick from. It might be daunting at times, particularly when attempting to cook with fresh veggies and herbs.

I’ve previously blogged about the distinction between endive and chicory. This time, I decided to take it a step further by comparing escarole with spinach.

Yet, before we go any further, you should be aware that the most significant difference between these two leafy greens is their nutritional value, appearance, and flavor. Escarole has a fresh, vegetal flavor with a faint bitterness, while spinach has a mild, somewhat sweet flavor.

Let us now study more about escarole and spinach and observe how they vary!

What Is Escarole?

Escarole is a leafy green vegetable that is often used in Italian cuisine. It tastes somewhat bitter and has a texture comparable to romaine lettuce, endive, and radicchio. Escarole’s outer leaves are dark green, whilst the interior leaves are lighter in color and have a softer feel.

Escarole is also delicate and has a moderate, somewhat bitter taste. The bitterness of an escarole is proportional to its size.

Blanching escarole before using it is the greatest approach to decrease bitterness.

Salads, soups, and stews may all benefit from escarole.

What Is Spinach?

Spinach is a leafy green vegetable that originated in ancient Persia, akin to cabbage or kale. It is abundant in vitamins A and C, iron, folic acid, calcium, and magnesium and has a subtle, earthy taste.

While spinach is often served cooked, it may also be consumed raw in salads, smoothies, or as a sandwich filler. It may be used in soups and stews, with pasta, or as a side dish with meat or fish.

Apart from that, you may get fresh, frozen, or canned spinach. It may be kept in the refrigerator unwashed for up to three days.

While there are two types of spinach:

Flat-leafed and Savoy. The color and texture of the two are what distinguishes them.

Flat-leafed spinach, for example, has dark green leaves, while Savoy spinach is lighter in color and has smooth edges rather than curling edges like other spinach varieties such as curly kale or Swiss chard.

Also see: Endive vs Escarole

Escarole Vs Spinach: Their Differences

Although both spinach and escarole are rich in vitamin K and folate, spinach has much more iron than escarole.

Spinach also contains twice as many calories as escarole, so if you’re trying to lose weight, escarole is a healthier choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Substitute Spinach for Escarole?

You may always use spinach instead of escarole. In pasta preparations, spinach may be used in place of escarole.

What Can You Use Instead Of Escarole In Italian Wedding Soup?

Endives from Belgium! When seeking for a replacement for escarole in Italian wedding soup, Belgian endives are the finest choice. It is a suitable substitute since they are members of the same family and share similar traits.

Belgian endive leaves may be used in lieu of escarole. The flavor is comparable to escarole but more bitter. This isn’t always a negative thing in soup! You may also substitute spinach, kale, chard, or cabbage.

Is Chicory The Same As Escarole?

Chicory and escarole are two very distinct plants. Chicory is a herb, while escarole is a variety of lettuce. Chicory is also used as a coffee replacement on occasion. Its taste and look are also fairly distinct.

Yet, both may be eaten raw as a salad or cooked in a variety of dishes, and they can be used interchangeably.

How Do You Get The Bitterness Out Of Escarole?

Blanching escarole is the greatest approach to remove its bitterness. Bring a big saucepan of water to a boil and prepare an ice bath. Remove the escarole’s root and chop the head into quarters.

While the water is boiling, add the quartered escarole and cook for approximately 30 seconds. Remove from the boiling water and chill fully in an ice bath. Blanching will eliminate the majority of the bitterness from your escarole!

Conclusion

Escarole versus spinach is one of the most contentious debates in the vegetable world: I hope this article has helped you grasp the distinctions between escarole and spinach by emphasizing their key characteristics.

What counts in the escarole versus spinach debate is what you like. Both are leafy greens that may be used in a variety of cuisines, and in most circumstances, they can be used interchangeably.

But, if you prefer one over the other, or if you have a recipe that calls for either spinach or escarole, feel free to replace one for the other.

You could discover that the food tastes even better than you anticipated!