Do people eat only the leaves of spinach or also the stalk?

Someone told me that only the leave sof spinach ahve to be eaten and the stalk discarded. Is it true?And why?

Do people eat only the leaves of spinach or also the stalk?
If you are making salads, the uncooked stalk is usually discarded as it is chewy raw. But in stir frying or braising the stalk can be eaten.


My mother has been feeding me cooked spinach since I can remember and we eat the stalks along with the leaves.


The other reason that most people don't deal with the stalk is that it hides sand and dirt at the base and requires extra work to wash and clean properly.
Reply:once its all cooked down I can't see how you would separate it out! If its all tender then eat the lot
Reply:i only eat the leaves!
Reply:I think that for salads, traditionally only the leaf is used, but if it is cooked (especially if it is the chopped up kind find in the freezer section) the stem may be there. I think the reason behind this is that uncooked, the texture isn't terribly appealing and it probably just doesn't look that good.
Reply:you can eat it, but very stringy, can make you choke.


When making fresh spinach, take the leaf and fold it closed in half with the stem running down the fold. Then just hold the leaf part and zip off the stem.
Reply:I like eating the leaves, and 1/4" of the stalk.