If you’re looking for a new green veggie to add to your mix this summer, consider tatsoi, a dark leafy green from the Brassica family. The veggie is similar to spinach in its nutrition profile for being low in calories and rich in the antioxidants vitamins C and A, as well as being a great vegetarian source of calcium and iron, says Sara Haas, R.D.N., a Chicago-based Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics spokeswoman. “Tatsoi is great raw or cooked, making it wonderful for several applications,” says Haas. Sub it for your favorite leafy green in salads, or add it to pasta, soup, or stir-fries. You can even add it to smoothies or turn it into pesto, she says. “I think tatsoi’s versatility is one of the reasons people like it. Plus, the flavor is mild, which makes it a tolerable-tasting green,” says Haas. Look for tatsoi at your local farmer’s markets and specialty grocery stores.
