The Spinach |
With its delicate texture and green color, spinach provides more nutrients than any other food.
Health Benefits: This vegetable functions as antioxidant and as anti-cancer agent, protecting against osteoporosis, heart disease, colon cancer, arthritis, and other diseases at the same time. Spinach is also an excellent source of other bone-building nutrients including calcium and magnesium. |
| The nutrients in spinach can also help with conditions in which inflammation plays a role. For example, asthma, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis are all conditions that involve inflammation. Spinach is an excellent source of vitamin C and vitamin A |
History
Spinach is thought to have originated in ancient Persia
( Iran ). It was introduced by the Moors in Spain in the 11th century. Spinach was the favorite vegetable of Catherine de Medici, a historical figure in the 16th century. When she left her home in Florence , Italy , to marry the king of France , she brought along her own cooks, who could prepare spinach the ways that she especially liked. Since this time, dishes prepared on a bed of spinach are referred to as "a la Florentine." |
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How to Select and Store
Choose spinach that has deep green leaves, that look fresh and tender and stems with no signs of yellowing. Avoid leaves that have a slimy coating as this is an indication of decay.
Store unwashed fresh spinach loosely packed in a plastic bag in the refrigerator crisper where it will keep fresh for about five days. Avoid storing cooked spinach as it will not keep very well and loose its nutrients. |
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