Spinach

Épinard

What it is

Persia grew it, Arab agronomists praised it as the “prince of vegetables”, and it reached French court cooking with Catherine de’ Medici — dishes served “à la florentine” still bow to her Florence. Popeye’s iron myth came later, from a misplaced decimal point.

In the kitchen

A mountain of leaves melts to a handful: buy more than seems reasonable, and finish with butter and a whisper of nutmeg.

Goes with

Butter Nutmeg Egg Garlic Cream Lemon Chickpeas

Also used with

Anardana Szechuan button (brède mafane) Brill Dangmyeon Perilla seed powder Hemp seed

In season alongside

Broccoli Broad bean Kale Molokhia Red amaranth leaf Swiss chard

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