Whether yougrow it in the garden , in containers , or indoors , spinach is a popularcool - weather vegetableand delicious leafy green . The plant is an first-class addition to many salads , cheesy pocket bread inclination , and even creamy pasta . It is wedge - full of vitamins , including A , C , K , and folate , as well as fibre , which is respectable for heart and digestive health .

While spinach boasts plenty of benefits , both flavour and health - wise , improperly storing it after harvesting can leave in wilt leaves and a sour taste . Luckily , there are several ways to store it by rights . get wind the essential details to see when harvest home and selecting your spinach parting and four different warehousing methods to keep your spinach refreshful and saporous , ready for use in the kitchen . Get ready to make the most of your sweet harvest !

Tools You Will Need

To properly stash away prickly-seeded spinach , you will need a few tools , though they vary depend on the method you choose .

infrigidation :

block :

A woman winces in pain

Dehydrating :

Pressure Canning :

Selection Criteria

When reap spinach from the garden , pluck any yellowing or shitty leaves , but do not add them to your pot to work inside and use . Instead , add together them to yourcompost pile ! Using a pair ofsharp pruning shears , harvest sizable , nippy , dark gullible leavesfrom your garden either 20 to 30 days after sowing for sister spinach or up to six workweek for fully mature spinach plant . If you wait too tenacious to glean , Spinacia oleracea get down to bolt , meaning it goes to seed , develop a bitter taste , and bring out small leaves and a thicker stem .

Storage Methods

With the veracious tools in hand , learn the top four method for storing spinach .

Refrigeration

Storing prickly-seeded spinach in the fridge is ideal if you intend to apply your greens within the next few days . Place prickly-seeded spinach in an open canvas , cotton wool , or mesh bag in the crisper draftsman , ensuring heap of ventilation . Alternatively , enwrap the spinach in a damp newspaper publisher towel and place it in a resealable plastic bag . Squeeze the air out of the bag and seal it close . Fresh spinach endure three to five days in the fridge .

When storing spinach in the electric refrigerator , do not lave ituntil ready to apply it . Excess moisture can stimulate the foliage to droop and moulder prematurely , which also holds for other fruit and veggies , such asstrawberries , tomatoes , andcarrots .

Freezing

rooted spinach is just as versatile in the kitchen as unused spinach plant , making a delectable addition to sauces , dips , and soup . To immobilize prickly-seeded spinach , lead off by rinse the leaves in nerveless weewee and removing woody stems with a keen knife . Then , blanch the spinach in boiling water for two minutes , followed by a tub in chalk urine for two minutes .

debilitate the spinach using a colander . software package in airtight , freezer - dependable container or plastic bags , allow ½-inch of room ( squall headspace ) between the greens and the top of the bag or container to accommodate expansion .

Frozen Spinacia oleracea hold out about 10 to 12 month . After thawing frozen spinach plant , hive away it in a covered container in the electric refrigerator for up to four days .

Large reflecting pool showcasing different cacti

Dehydrating

desiccated spinach work on well in curries , soups , casserole , smoothies , or even in post of potato microchip . Start by removing the stem with a sharp knife and washing the spinach in cool water ( quick water can cause the Spinacia oleracea to wilt ) . Then , chuck the spinach dry using a paper or recyclable towel . repose the spinach in a single layer , savourless on baking trays , and place in the oven at 125 degrees Fahrenheit for four to 10 hours ( until the spinach is visibly crisp but not burnt ) .

Store dehydrated spinach in airtight containers in a coolheaded , dry , dark localization for six to 12 calendar month .

Pressure Canning

Canning is great if you have an especially large spinach harvest : 18 Cypriot pound of spinach will make a canner loading of 9 pints . Before canning , remove any wilted leave and cut off stems . Prepare 1 Ezra Pound at a metre . wash out the spinach , come out it in a blanching basket , and steam for three to five minutes . mix in in ½ teaspoon of salt for each quart jolt , then fill the jars loosely with the limp spinach plant . Add boiling water to each jounce , leave 1 - inch of headspace . Attach the lid and use the pressure canner as recommended for your specific machine .

Home - canned goods last up to one class . After opening , canned spinach endure in the electric refrigerator in a covered container for four day or in the freezer in an airtight container or travelling bag for up to two month .

Don’t Leaf Your Spinach to Wilt!

Left on the counter or stored improperly , spinach will promptly go sorry and wilt . While it does not have the longest shelf life in the fridge and should be used promptly , freezing , dehydrating , and pressing terminate all offer a more farsighted - term solution . Always label and particular date your put in spinach to guarantee you use it in the right amount of clip . Regardless of the method acting you choose , right repositing secure you make the most of your spinach harvest and savour every unripe leaf .

Do you love anyone growing spinach this year and could use a few confidential information on storing Spinacia oleracea ? Share this guidebook to lend a help hand !

Potted fairy garden

Picking Spinach

spinach in a bowl

A spinach plant in a small pot, sitting on the counter of a kitchen

spinach in a canvas or cotton bag

canned spinach