Whilst available all year round, the UK spinach season is March - June. Often lauded as an iron-rich superfood (just think Popeye), it is also rich in vitamin K, vitamin A, vitamin C and folic acid, and a good source of calcium, manganese, magnesium, iron and vitamin B2.
Iron is important for making red blood cells, which carry oxygen around the body, and children need vitamin K to help normal blood clotting and to heal cuts and scrapes.
So what’s the best way to sneak this supercharged leaf into your family’s diet?
Blend it!
Spinach works brilliantly in smoothies and fresh juices. Blend with mango, strawberry, or banana which will mask it’s peppery leaves.
Add it to potatoes, cream and garlic (yum!). Here are two amazing dauphinoise recipes which include spinach.
Sweet potato and spinach bake GoodFood
Spinach and potato gratin Tesco RealFood
Blitz it in a homemade spinach and basil pesto (then stir through pasta, smear on bruschetta, serve with grilled fish or chicken)
Speedy Spinach Pesto by Mama's Kitchen on Food.com (Photo: May I Have That Recipe)
Pack it into some toddler sized mini muffins
Spinach Banana Healthy Muffins Tribe Magazine
Or our very own Cheesy Spinach Muffins
Want to find out more about the story of spinach?
Our friends at How Does it Grow share the fascinating story of a floating hydroponic spinach farm.
