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spinach

ProducePeak season is spring and fall in temperate regions, though spinach is increasingly available year-round through greenhouse cultivation and storage. Winter availability varies by region and climate zone.

Spinach is exceptionally rich in iron, calcium, and vitamins A, C, and K, along with antioxidants and polyphenols. It is low in calories while providing fiber and plant-based protein.

About

Spinach (Spinacia oleracea) is a leafy green vegetable in the Amaranthaceae family, native to central and southwestern Asia. The plant produces tender, dark green leaves that range from smooth to crinkled depending on cultivar. Spinach has a mild, slightly earthy flavor with subtle sweetness, particularly pronounced in younger leaves. The vegetable develops a more pronounced earthiness and slight bitterness as it matures. Common cultivars include Savoy spinach with crinkled leaves, flat-leaf or smooth-leaf spinach, and semi-Savoy varieties that combine characteristics of both.

Culinary Uses

Spinach is one of the most versatile vegetables in global cuisine, used both raw and cooked. Raw spinach appears in salads, smoothies, and cold preparations where its tender leaves provide nutritional value and mild flavor. Cooked applications include sautéed side dishes, incorporated into soups, wilted into pasta dishes, used as a filling for dumplings and pastries, and blended into sauces and curries. It features prominently in Mediterranean, Indian, Asian, and Northern European cuisines. Spinach pairs well with garlic, cream, cheese, and nutmeg, and cooks to a fraction of its raw volume, making it ideal for nutrient-dense preparations.

Recipes Using spinach (115)

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African Fruit Salad

This salad or comparable greens and fruit combinations are served in all parts of Africa. The salad is ideal for a group of women on any occasion and men also appreciate it on a hot day. It is especially appropriate for a weekend or outdoor luncheon.

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Albanian Vegetable Pie

Albanian Vegetable Pie is an Albanian recipe for cooking pies. Albanian pies are generally made of thin pastry leaves which can be rolled out at home or bought as filo dough at a supermarket.

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Asian-style Cabbage Salad

Asian-style Cabbage Salad from the Recidemia collection

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Baked Rigatoni with Sausage and Mushrooms

Savory Italian sausage and sautéed mushrooms impart a spicy heat to this cheesy rigatoni. Toss a simple green salad while the pasta bakes, and serve with a nice dry red wine.

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Bibimbap

Bibimbap is a popular Korean dish. The word literally means "mixed rice" or "mixed meal".

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Broccoli, Asparagus and Spinach Casserole

A great way to give the kids veggies they need. This recipe does not specify to use the lower sodium cream of celery soup but it is a better choice.

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Bulanglang

Bulanglang is a healthy vegetarian dish well known in the Philippines. The manner of preparing it varies in different regions.

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California Avocado Spinach Salad

California Avocado Spinach Salad from the Recidemia collection

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California Spinach Salad

California Spinach Salad from the Recidemia collection

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Cashew Salad

This recipe came from an estate sale. I obtained it when I purchased the family collection from the Cabrera Estate in Malakoff, Texas in 1986.

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Cauliflower and Spinach Curry

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Cauliflower and Spinach Gratin

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Cheese Fricadelle

Cheese Fricadelle from the Recidemia collection

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Chicken Pizzola

Chicken Pizzola from the Recidemia collection

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Chinese Chicken Noodle Soup with Spinach and Garlic Chives

In Chinese culture, noodles symbolize longevity and are often served at New Year celebrations and traditionally left very long.

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Chinese Winter Soup

Makes 6 cups

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Christmas Salad

Pretty and tasty!

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Creamy Spinach

This recipe came from an estate sale. I obtained it when I purchased the family collection from the Wright Estate in Seagoville, Texas in 2000.

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Crummy Vegetable Bake

Serves 4 – 6

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Curried Sweet Potatoes with Spinach and Chickpeas

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Dim Sum Baskets

Dim Sum Baskets from the Recidemia collection

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Egusi Soup

Serve soup with pounded yam.

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Fatayer bil Sabanikh

Spinach Pies. Note: You can substitute spinach with unchopped purslane leaves.

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Fresh Spinach and Rice Salad Bowl

Fresh Spinach and Rice Salad Bowl from the Recidemia collection

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Fresh Spinach Salad with Grapefruit and Pecans

This recipe came from an estate sale. I obtained it when I purchased the family collection from the Legmen Estate in Jacksonville, Texas in 1991.

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Garbanzo stew

Garbanzo stew from the Recidemia collection

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Gesmoorde Spinasie

Braised spinach

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Gimbap

250px|right Korean Cuisine is a popular snack or lunch dish in Korea. Its primary ingredients are rice (bap) and nori (kim, sheets of dried seaweed).

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Greek Chickpeas and Spinach

Greek Chickpeas and Spinach from the Public Health Cookbook by the Seattle & King County Department of Public Health—original source of recipe, public domain government resource Serves: 4

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Green Pancakes with Lime Butter

This recipe is from Yotam Ottolenghi's vegetarian cookbook "Plenty". uk Serves three to four.

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Grilled Vegetables with Eggplant Tapenade

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Herbed Pork and Spinach Terrine

Herbed Pork and Spinach Terrine from the Recidemia collection

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Himalayan Vegetable-Noodle Stew

Himalayan Vegetable-Noodle Stew from the Recidemia collection

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Honduran Spinach and Black Bean Quesadillas

Honduran Spinach and Black Bean Quesadillas from the Recidemia collection

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Isombe

Isombe from the Recidemia collection

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Italian Chicken with Colorful Rice

Makes 6 servings.

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Italian Pork Stir-fry

Be sure to cut vegetables into similar sized pieces for even cooking. Don't overload your wok or skillet. Cook in small batches, if necessary, to ensure you stir fry rather than stew.

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Jamaican Pepper Pot Soup

There are many, many variations of pepper Pot Soup. This version contains chicken, although one could easily change to beef, by using diced lean Beef and beef broth.

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Jwanu Chicken

Jwanu Chicken from the Recidemia collection

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Kasakeitto

Kasakeitto Vegetable Soup 6 Servings

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Korean Spinach Soup

Korean Spinach Soup Beef broth may be substituted for the water for a richer soup, but you may have to decrease the amount of salt. This recipe is for 4 servings. Preparation: 25 minutes.

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Korma Sabzee

Korma Sabzee from the Recidemia collection

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Lower-low-cal Buttermilk Bacon Spinach Quiche

Lower-low-cal Buttermilk Bacon Spinach Quiche I modified Quiche Lorraine by adding spinach and using lower fat items like buttermilk and light cream. Yes real men do eat quiche, and they make it as well.

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Marinated Salmon with Balsamic

Part of Hopper's entry in Iron Chef SA 028:Balsamic Battle

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Matambre II

This dish is normally served refrigerated with the beef very cold, which makes for much easier slicing and serving.

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Maude's green salad

Maude's green salad from the Recidemia collection

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Minestrone Vegetable Soup

Minestrone Vegetable Soup means big soup, this soup is a meal full of vegetables, you can easily substitute for another vegetable if desired.

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Mini Breakfast Quiches

Mini Breakfast Quiches from the Public Health Cookbook by the Seattle & King County Department of Public Health—original source of recipe, government resource in the public domain Serves: 2

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Miso Soup

In traditional Japanese cuisine, miso soup is served for breakfast every day, and often served with meals as well.

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Mongolian Hot Pot

This dish also works successfully with other foods such as steak, balls, oysters, shrimp, squid, mushrooms and lettuce, although it will no longer be a Mongolian hot pot, but more like the Cantonese chrysanthemum pot.