Spinach
Spinach
Spinach
Eat spinach and earn a
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Spinach
Spinach is simply spectacular!

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Fun Facts

More than 2000 years old, spinach is native to Persia and is so popular, it inspired a spinach-devouring American cartoon character named Popeye back in 1929. Dishes with spinach are called Florentine or a la Florentine after Florence, Italy. It's not clear where spinach got its name -- possibly from the Persian word aspanakh, or maybe even the Latin word spinacia. One thing's for sure: spinach is officially the very first frozen vegetable ever.

Star Power

Spinach is an awesome source of antioxidants -- with four times the beta carotene of broccoli. Its high lutein content helps lower cholesterol, and lots of magnesium keeps calcium absorption just right. Spinach delivers more than the daily RDA of vitamins A and K; vitamin A supports night vision, bone growth, and germ-killing white blood cells, while vitamin K helps the bleeding stop when you cut yourself and works with calcium to build stronger bones. Eat spinach raw, steamed, boiled, sautéed, even juiced! Did you know that if you pair spinach with a high vitamin C food you increase absorption of iron and calcium?

Quick Preps

PREPARE: Rinse in cold water and dry on cloth or paper towels.

  • Make a smoothie with blueberries, banana and spinach blended with water.
  • Use as the main green in salads.
  • Slide into sandwiches.
  • Fold into wraps.
  • Chop and add to scrambled eggs, soup, pasta and lasagna.
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Fun Tip

Let your kids chop, slide and fold!

Star-Powered Recipe

5 star dinner Springtacular Spinach Salad
Springtacular Spinach Salad

Serves 4

Ingredients

  • 3 cups spinach
  • 1 cup romaine
  • ½ cup shredded purple cabbage
  • 1 red pepper, sliced
  • ½ cup orange lentils, cooked
  • ½ cup garbanzo beans
  • ¼ cup sliced grapes
  • 1 tbsp. chia seeds
  • Feta cheese, optional

Dressings

  • Orange Vinaigrette
  • ½ cup cold pressed, extra virgin olive oil
  • ¼ cup fresh squeezed orange juice
  • 1 tbsp. honey
  • Yogurt Dressing
  • ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 2 tbsp. cold pressed, extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tbsp.lemon juice
  • 2 tbsp. lime juice
  • 2 tbsp. honey

Method

  • In a large salad bowl, combine spinach, romaine, cabbage, red pepper, carrot, orange lentils, garbanzo beans, sliced grapes, chia seeds and cheese (optional).
  • Prepare one or both dressings. Combine ingredients in mason jars and shake to combine.
  • Serve salad in individual bowls with the dressing of your choice.
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How to Store

Fresh, raw: Place in a plastic bag and leave in the fridge for up to 5 days. |To freeze: Wash and cut off woody stems, then blanch for 2 minutes and chill quickly in ice water. Dry, then put in airtight container or freezer bag for up to a year.

Fresh, cooked:Put cooked spinach in a covered container or wrap tightly with plastic wrap and place in the fridge within two hours of cooking. Spinach should stay fresh for up to 5 days.|To freeze: Place in airtight container or freezer bag for up to a year.

How It Grows

Spinach grows in bunches close to the ground. Depending on the variety, the green leaves are smooth, curly or a hybrid of both. The stems are edible, too.

Peak Seasons

Spring, fall

Varieties

Bloomsdale, Harmony, Avon, Corvair, Bordeaux, Space, Indian Summer, Melody, Savoy, Noble Giant

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