Culinary Skills - Vegetables
 
Leaves & Stems Family:

Spinach
(Spinacea oleracea, spp.)

Country or State of Origin

Originally from Persia, now grown in      California,    Arizona and Mexico  

Peak Season:


Available year round with peak season starting in the early Spring, tapering off in the hot Summer months and coming on to market again in the cooler Fall and Winter months.

Fun Fact: The Term "Florentine" denotes Spinach in a dish.

Information and Usage:

Spinach is an annual plant with a slight acidic taste, and bright green foliage. It comes either flat leaf or curly sometimes called Savory. Look for fresh, clean short stems and large flat leaves when purchasing spinach. Avoid any spinach with yellow leaves or excessive.  Spinach is available year around, with peak seasons in cool months. It is loaded with vitamin A and Calcium. 

Fresh Spinach comes packed 18/20 lbs. net up to 28 lbs. ice out, per box, or basket - 5 lbs.

Spinach is best when stored at 33-38 degrees F and should be used within 24 hours of purchase. Top iced spinach can keep up to 1 week. Spinach yields 50% when cooked and 90% yield when used raw in salads. 1 lb. of Spinach will yield 8 oz. cooked or 14 oz. raw based on 2.5 oz. portions.

 

Bulbs  |  Flowers  |  Brassica  |  Fruits  |  Chilies   |  Cucumbers  |  Squashes  |  Tomatoes
Fungi  |  Leaves & Stems  |  Legumes  |  Roots   |  Tubers


Culinary Skills Home  |  Fruits  |  Vegetables  |  Web Resources  |  Eggs  |  Dairy  |  Cheese  
Pasta-Grains  |  Sauces  |  Sandwiches  |  Soups  |  International

Metropolitan Community College
Web Editor:   Tina Powers
tpowers@metropo.mccneb.edu
Last Edited: 01/11/02