Sorry to ask but I just haven′t seen it around in any supermarkets.  I was wondering if it′s possible to get kale in BNE (manly/wynnum area preferred).
Perhaps kale is known under a different name in Aust?  I also don′t know what collard greens is - any help on that would also be appreciated.

Many Thanks.

Collard greens and kale are green leafy veggies very similar to spinach and silverbeet. Usually it′s the American sites that refer to these vegetables. I′m pretty sure that they are common over there.

So you can substitute for spinach, baby spinach or silverbeet. The results should be the same.

Welcome to the Forum seylward and apologies for taking a while to respond to your query, but Veganessa has done that.  I don′t think I would compare kale with spinach or silverbeet though.  Kale is available over here most of the year, but you don′t see it around very often.  It is a bluey/green colour, with beautiful crinkly, curly edges, and because it′s so attractive and sturdy, is often used as a decoration in delis.  Ask your fruit market to get it in for you.  I have only heard it called "kale"

As Veganessa said, the collard greens are all through the American cookbooks, and I was under the impression that they were more like the leaves from radishes or turnips, but I could be wrong.  Why not ask your fruit shop?  If they don′t know, get them to ask at the markets the next time they′re there.  And apart from the spinach and silverbeet that Veganessa has suggested, maybe any of the bunches of Chinese greens could be used too.

When I worked as a check-out chick at Coles (1998-2001) they used to sell kale. It was in the fresh produce section and they called it ′Curly Kale′. I don′t eat it so I′ve never bothered to look for it since then, so I don′t know if they still sell it.

I would ask the fresh produce person in Coles about it, because even if they don′t stock it, they will know what it is from the past, and may know where else you can get it. They are usually pretty helpful.

Woolworth′s on the other hand... did you know that the last three stores I′ve been to haven′t sold spinach in the fresh produce section? What′s going on with that?? I thought spinach was a pretty basic type of vegetable. Guess I′ll just do most of my shopping at Coles from now on (who do sell it).

I did a wee bit of research for you...
KALE, Brassica Oleracea, is also called Curly Cale, Collard and Borecole. Description: A coarse green leaf, very curly or smooth, resembling cabbage, on an upright stem, with strong flavour.

Kale is a member of the cabbage family (brassicas) and resembles cabbage in its wild form. The leaves are not tightly packed as in drum head cabbage, but arranged loosely. It is very high in calcium and recommended for people who do not eat dairy foods. It is available in winter.

I sometimes substitute broccoli leaves as they have a similar flavour and calcium content, as do the outer dark green leaves of cabbage. They are a little bit tough though, which is why most people discard the most nutritious bits. I chop it very finely to make it easier to chew.

More info...
Chinese white cabbage (Brassica Chinensis), also called bok choy, pak chai, pau t′sai, chinese chard, or white mustard cabbage, would make an excellent alternative to kale because it is almost as high in calcium and can be eaten raw or cooked. It is also available all year round whereas kale is only available in winter, if at all. Bok choy keeps for a week in the fridge whereas kale needs to be eaten asap. They are both Brassicas.
(Dried figs are also very high in calcium, yum!)

Many thanks for this info.  I was after the Kale for it′s calcium - but will use bok choy as suggested.  I also like the dried figs but didn′t realize they were a great source of calcium - all the more reason to eat them.

Thanks again,
Sharon.