Swiss Chard is another great spinach substitute that grows well in the heat of summer.

Northern Lights Mix contains some of the intense colors of chard that we have ever seen. The 21 to 26" plants produce eye-appealing stalk colors of deep gold, snow white, deep red and magenta, all with shiny, medium green colored leaves. Mature leaves are lightly savoyed to heavily savoyed. The stalks are broad, tender, and fleshy, even at full maturity. Grows best in full sun, but will tolerate partial shade .

Add some color to your garden and kitchen. 

Persian Basil is a Middle Eastern type basil that has large silvery green leaves and a distinctive aroma of spicy citrus.Persian Basil is eaten raw usually with kebabs. It is used extensively in salads and cooked dishes as well. It is slower bolting than Italian sweet basil varieties. When it does blooms it makes an attractive cut-flower.  2015 AAS Winner. 

Reyhan is the Farsi word for this variety of Basil. 

Solanum nigrum -  edible strain

The ripe berries and cooked leaves of this edible strain of black nightshade are used as food in Tamil Nadu.

The thoroughly boiled leaves  are used like spinach. The ripe black berries are described as sweet and salty, with hints of liquorice and melon.

It is nutritious containing high levels of Vitamin C, as well as niacin, riboflavin, calcium, phosphorus, and iron. It is also used in herbal medicine, the leaves and berries can be eaten as a treatment for ulcers. 

The leaves are also eaten in Greece, and Turkey and Indonesia, and the berries are turned into jam in South Africa.

Related to Peppers,Tomatoes and Eggplant, in Kannada it is known as kakki soppu, in Telugu Kamanchi chettu and in Hindi it is called Makoi.

Amaranthus Polygonoides 

 Siru keerai, is another spinach substitute popular in Tamil Nadu. The leaves are smaller and pointier than Arai keerai and consuming it has cooling properties.

It goes well combined with dal or as a poriyal.  Easy to grow, simply sprinkle tiny seeds on the surface of the soil.

Seed color: Black 

Amaranthus dubious

Araikeerai or spleen amaranthus is a variety of amaranthus popular in Tamil Nadu. A delicious substitute for spinach and an essential ingredient in preparation of Masiyal, it has medicinal qualities especially for post partum and lactating women.

Keerai leaves are high in vitamin C, vitamin A, calcium, potassium, and folate. They also contain iron, magnesium, and phosphorus.

Keerai leaves can be used both raw or cooked, such as stir-frying, steaming, sauteing, and boiling. They can be added to salads and are commonly used in soups, stir-fries, rice dishes, dals, and curries.

Easy to grow, simply sprinkle seeds on the surface of soil.

Seed color: Black