Catherine de Médicis was particularly fond of spinach, making it her favorite vegetable. When she left Florence, Italy, to marry the King of France, she took with her her personal cooks, who knew how to prepare spinach in the way she preferred. This tradition gave rise to the spinach dishes known as "à la florentine".

Raw spinach has a mild, slightly sweet flavor, making it a revitalizing element in salads. However, when cooked, its taste becomes spicier and earthier.

There are three distinct varieties of spinach:

1. Milan spinach: Crisp, wrinkled and curled leaves.
2. Smooth-leaf spinach: Flat, unpleated leaves.
3. Baby spinach: Lower oxalic acid content, milder taste, ideal for salads.

Spinach nutritional highlights

Animal studies have revealed that spinach potentially protects the brain against oxidative stress and may counter age-related decline in cognitive function. Other research suggests that a diet rich in spinach significantly improves learning and motor skills in adults.

• Abundant in vitamin K.
• Considerable source of vitamin A.
• Significant source of manganese, folic acid and vitamin C.
• Contains iron, magnesium and potassium.

Choosing and storing spinach

Choose spinach with bright, intense green leaves and stems, free from any signs of yellowing. Leaves should look fresh and delicate, with no signs of wilting or bruising. Store fresh spinach in a slightly loose plastic bag in the refrigerator crisper drawer, to preserve freshness for about five days. Avoid washing before storing, as moisture can cause deterioration. Cooked spinach should not be stored, as its shelf life is limited.

Tips for preparing spinach

Spinach should be washed thoroughly, as the leaves and stems tend to accumulate sand and soil. Before washing, cut the roots and separate the leaves. Remove the thick stems to ensure more even cooking.

Spinach salads are a classic, easy and delicious meal or side dish. Spinach can be quickly boiled or steamed for one minute. Boiling will help reduce the amount of oxalic acids present in the spinach, resulting in a milder taste. Incorporate layers of steamed spinach into your next lasagne recipe. Mix steamed spinach with pressed garlic, fresh lemon juice and olive oil. Sprinkle lightly with Parmesan cheese. Substitute spinach for basil in pesto recipes and make a spinach pesto, or combine the two.

Why choose organic spinach?

Like kale and other leafy vegetables, organic spinach is recommended because it has no protection against pesticides. Conventional spinach is among the vegetables with the highest levels of chemical pesticide residues. It retains chemicals so effectively that in the early 2000s, specialists in the USA discovered traces of DDT metabolites in 39% of spinach samples, even though this pesticide has been banned since 1972.

Recipes with spinach