Spinach

Spinach is a low-calorie source of vitamins.

Spinach season

The best period for eating spinach begins in November and ends in May. However, spinach may be eaten year round in France, as it is grown in the regions of Brittany, Ile-de-France, Picardy and Provence.

Nutritional value of spinach

The major asset of spinach is its low calorie content: a portion of 200 grammes contains only 36 kilocalories. It is a great food for dieters, since it also provides the energy needed for a body weakened by deprivation, with vitamins A, C, B9 and E, not to mention iron and magnesium.

Spinach varieties

The most well known varieties are the winter giant variety and the large Viroflay variety. The former can resist cold temperatures, while the latter prefers mild temperatures. They both produce large green leaves.

Spinach facts

Although many of the French hate spinach, it was Catherine de Medici’s favourite vegetable. In fact, Catherine of Medici,Margaret of Valois's mother, was the person who brought spinach to France. In the 20^th century, Popeye, a cartoon character, became the best promoter of spinach.

Choosing and cooking spinach

When shopping for vegetables, it is best to choose spinach with well-formed, unstained leaves, that are firm and have a nice dark green colour. In fact, it is best to choose young shoots, that are often more tender and less stringy. The one catch: spinach must be cooked within one day of purchase or at most stored for two days in the refigerator's vegetable crisper.

First wash the leaves with plenty of water to remove all the soil. After washing, snap off the fibrous stem. The spinach can then be used in sandwiches or in salads, accompanied by potatoes, parmesan cheese or mozzarella. To cook spinach, plunge it into salted boiling water and braise it, steam it or cook it in a wok.