A leafy green vegetable with a flavor that is slightly bitter tasting. There are different varieties of spinach, which vary in the type of leaves they have, from smooth to very crinkled. The savoy spinach is a variety with crinkled leaves. Spinach can be used fresh in salads or cooked and used as a vegetable or an ingredient in a dish.
Fresh, frozen or canned spinach is available throughout the year. When selecting fresh spinach, choose leaves that are dark green and crisp, avoiding limp or damaged leaves or leaves with yellow spots. To store, place fresh spinach in a plastic bag and refrigerate for approximately three days. Spinach has a tendency to be gritty so it should be rinsed thoroughly before using.