Spinach is one of the most popular vegetables in England, as it’s cheap and easy to find, and the base of many of our most popular dishes, and also makes a nice side dish. Often locally-grown, however most supermarkets tend to wrap it in plastic, and often in huge amounts (way more than most people need). Look in markets and farm shops, to find smaller quantities if you live near them.
Pasta with spinach & artichokes (Short Girl, Tall Order) makes use of fresh spinach and canned artichokes, so is super-simple and quick to cook. Like all good Italian recipes, this begins by sauteeing garlic and onion in oil. The ‘cream sauce’ is made with oat milk and cornstarch, and the basil combined with pine nuts, gives a pesto-type flavour. You can buy pasta in paper packaging from Yorkshire Pasta and Northern Pasta.
is spinach safe to eat for everyone?
Spinach is safe for most people, though people on medication should check paper inserts, as some people can’t eat dark leafy greens in excess, due to interaction with vitamin K. Also it should be avoided for people prone to kidney stones and kidney disease, due to oxalic acid and being high in potassium.
Although spinach itself (unless consumed in excess) is not toxic to pets, most recipes that use it contain ingredients that are unsafe (onion, garlic and nutmeg). Read more on keeping people & pets safe in the kitchen (many ‘human foods’ are unsafe, including fresh dough if making bread, pasta or pastry).
how to buy & store spinach
Spinach (you can sub recipes with cabbage or Swiss chard) can be eaten raw, but most people prefer it cooked (the size reduces a lot during cooking, so be aware of this). In season from April to September, choose spinach with bright green leaves. Like all vegetables, spinach is packed with antioxidants and also good for energy, heart health, bones, vision and weight loss.
Only wash just before cooking. Spinach has quite a bitter taste. Tear off tough stems and rinse leaves in a colander, before frying in a little oil and salt for a few minutes. You can also steam it for a few minutes.
If wishing to grow spinach, learn how to grow your own organic food (also learn how to make your garden wildlife-friendly and make your garden safe for pets).
chickpea, tomato & spinach curry
Chickpea, tomato & spinach curry (Short Girl, Tall Order) is a super-simple and affordable recipe, that makes use of leftover spinach and tomatoes, cooked in a curry sauce made with coconut milk (Biona is a good brand, guaranteed not harvested by monkey-slaves).
quick & easy spinach pasta sauce
Quick & easy spinach pasta sauce (Ela Vegan) is a super-simple recipe. Spinach gives a pretty colour, combined with fresh basil and cheesy-tasting nutritional yeast. The sauce is cooked in coconut milk. Seasoned with salt, pepper and a pinch of nutmeg. The dish is topped with vegan Parmesan (conventional Parmesan is not even vegetarian, as it contains calf rennet). You can make your own or buy in glass jars (or sub with any vegan grated cheese).
Italian pasta (with lemon & spinach)
Pasta al limone (Ela Vegan) is more akin to how Italians eat pasta, rather than watery tomato sauce. It’s a creamy plant-based alfredo made with plant milk and cashew butter, flavoured with lemon. Add optional tinned chickpeas for protein. You can swap spinach for kale if preferred (high in calcium, kale is one of the few crops that grow during England’s ‘hungry gap’ around April, when winter produce has harvested and we’re still waiting for strawberries!)
a spinach & blueberry breakfast smoothie
Spinach & blueberry breakfast smoothie (Short Girl, Tall Order) sweetens up the spinach with naturally sweet berries, with protein from hemp seeds (not the same as cannabis!) or sub with flax or chia seeds (the latter are choking hazards so avoid for children/swallowing difficulties (for everyone else, drink immediately to avoid turning into chia pudding).
Russell Hobbs makes good blenders for around £50, which have glass jugs and can also be used to make soups and sauces. They are also easy to clean, so won’t sit in the cupboard!
vegan spinach & artichoke ‘pesto’ pizza
Vegan artichoke & spinach pesto pizza (Short Girl, Tall Order) is a more complicated recipe, but you can hugely simplify it by using ready-made Northern Pizza Dough (no palm oil) and ready-made vegan pesto, then topping with spinach, mushrooms, tinned artichokes and vegan grated cheese.
