Baby Spoon Spinach

Inventory, 4 lbs : 129.50
This item was last sold on : 06/02/23

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Description/Taste

Baby Spoon spinach is small in size, averaging 3 to 4 centimeters in diameter, and has a flat, round to oval shape with curved, smooth edges attached to slender, straight, and short stems. The vibrant green leaves are pliable, soft, and generally smooth, sometimes lightly textured with shallow veins, and the stems are light green with a firm, chewy nature. Baby Spoon spinach leaves are sturdy but also have a crisp, succulent, and tender consistency. The leaves should be saturated in color, void of bruising, and dry when selecting greens for culinary use. Baby Spoon spinach has a mild, clean, and delicate flavor with earthy, nutty, subtly sweet, and vegetal nuances.

Seasons/Availability

Baby Spoon spinach is available year-round.

Current Facts

Baby Spoon spinach, botanically classified as Spinacia oleracea, is a general descriptor for immature spinach greens belonging to the Amaranthaceae family. In the United States, flat-leaf, also known as smooth-leafed spinach, is the most popular type of spinach grown as Baby spinach. Flat-leaf spinach is known for its smooth surface, holding onto less grit and dirt, allowing the greens to be quickly washed and packaged for commercial markets. There are many different varieties of flat-leaf spinach grown, harvested, and marketed under the Baby Spoon spinach name, and the young greens earned their name for their small size, curved spoon-like appearance, and immature nature. Baby Spoon spinach is typically harvested 15 to 35 days after planting and is purposefully gathered in the plant's early growth stages for the green's mild, clean flavor, hardy nature, and tender, succulent texture. In modern-day markets, Baby Spoon spinach is almost exclusively found in prepackaged mixes, either sold on its own or combined with other baby greens into various blends. Baby Spoon spinach is primarily consumed fresh, but it is also occasionally used in select, cooked preparations.

Nutritional Value

Baby Spoon spinach is a source of folate to develop DNA and RNA, phosphorus to repair cellular tissue, and vitamin K to assist in faster wound healing. The greens also provide potassium to balance fluid levels within the body, vitamin C to strengthen the immune system, vitamin E to reduce inflammation, and other nutrients, including zinc, calcium, vitamin A, magnesium, and iron. In addition to vitamins and minerals, Baby Spoon spinach has antioxidants to protect the cells against the damage caused by free radicals.

Applications

Baby Spoon spinach has a mild, clean, and earthy flavor suited for fresh and cooked preparations. The young greens are commonly consumed raw, valued for their tender, crisp nature, and are tossed into salads or used as a bed of greens for roasted meats. Baby Spoon spinach can also be blended into smoothies, mixed into sauces, dressings, and dips, especially pesto, or combined with garlic into a flavored butter. In addition to raw preparations, Baby Spoon spinach can be incorporated into cooked dishes such as casseroles, pasta, soups, and stews. The young greens can be lightly wilted into main meat dishes, sauteed with aromatics as a simple side, or layered into lasagna. They can also be cooked into grains, mixed into egg-based dishes including quiche, frittatas, and omelets, stuffed into meats, or stirred into potato and vegetable-based dishes. Baby Spoon spinach pairs well with fruits such as apples, citrus, and berries, nuts including walnuts, almonds, and pine, mushrooms, tomatoes, bell peppers, and cheeses such as feta, parmesan, goat, and cheddar. Whole, unwashed Baby Spoon spinach should be stored in a sealed container with paper towels to absorb excess moisture, keeping for 2 to 7 days in the refrigerator's crisper drawer.

Ethnic/Cultural Info

In the United States, Baby spinach increased in popularity across the United States when it was used in bagged salad mixes. The young greens could be stored and shipped in packaged mixes without rapid decay due to their sturdier nature, and they could be washed and packed fresh without bruising. The history of packaged greens in the United States is intertwined with the creation of convenience foods. After World War II, American consumers began purchasing pre-made dinners as they grew tired of maintaining their home Victory Gardens. Around the same time, grocery stores were installing improved refrigeration systems, and new highways were constructed to reduce shipping times, allowing for more perishable items to be sold and shipped. In the 1980s, "value-added" products appeared on market shelves, beginning with Del Monte's pre-cut pineapple. With the success of the pre-packaged pineapple, produce companies began working on other bagged foods. Lettuce growers in California, especially in Salinas, initially tried packaging heads of lettuce chopped into smaller pieces. It was quickly discovered that the edges of the pieces were browned, leading the greens to lack visual appeal. Baby greens were tested for their ability to be packaged and kept whole and soon took over the entire packaged lettuce market. Baby spinach in the 1980s marked a period in American history when consumers shifted from eating canned or cooked spinach to eating fresh spinach. Consumers desired ready-to-eat fresh greens that could be prepared without extensive preparations, and Baby spinach eventually became one of the most popular types for pre-packaged mixes, even into the modern day.

Geography/History

Spinach is native to ancient Persia, now modern-day Iran, and was created from several wild species. Domesticated spinach was thought to have developed through selective breeding of wild, leafy greens, but much of the history of spinach is unknown. Over time, spinach was spread to neighboring countries around Persia through traders traveling through India and was introduced into Nepal and China sometime before 647 CE. Spinach was also brought to Italy around 827 CE through the Arabs, and by the 10th century, the plant was found throughout the Mediterranean. In the 13th through 16th centuries, spinach was extensively cultivated throughout Europe, creating new domesticated varieties. In the 18th century, Spinach was carried with European settlers to the United States. Thomas Jefferson grew several types of Spinach in his Monticello Estate Gardens around 1774, and by 1806, Spinach was being promoted in American seed catalogs. Spinach was heavily advertised throughout the United States in the early 20th century. By the late 20th century, pre-packaged salad mixes using Baby Spoon spinach marked the Baby spinach renaissance in modern markets. It is important to note that Baby spinach has been around since the dawn of domestication, but its popularity was never officially recorded until the late 20th century. Today California, Arizona, and Texas are the top spinach producers in the United States, and flat-leaf varieties are the most commercially grown in California for their easy-to-clean nature. In general, Baby Spoon spinach is grown worldwide and is primarily offered as a pre-packaged green in commercial markets. Baby greens can also be cultivated in home gardens and consumed as a fresh salad ingredient.

Featured Restaurants

Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.

California Center for the Arts	Escondido CA	760-839-4107
InterContinental Vistal Kitchen	San Diego CA	619-501-9400
Madison	San Diego CA	619-822-3465
Paradise Point Resort Barefoot	San Diego CA	858-490-6363
Rancho Valencia	Del Mar CA	858-756-1123
Sisters Pizza	San Diego CA	858-228-6822
Del Mar Country Club	Rancho Santa Fe CA	858-759-5500 x207
The Country Club Of Rancho Bernardo	San Diego CA	858-487-1134
Zanzibar at the Loft	La Jolla CA	858-210-5476
Barleymash	San Diego CA	619-276-6700 x304
Alila Marea Beach Resort (Banquets)	Encinitas CA	805-539-9719
264 Fresco (Kitchen)	Carlsbad CA	760-720-3737
Humphery's	San Diego CA	619-224-3577
Spill the Beans (Seaport)	San Diego CA	619-276-6700
Nobu	San Diego CA	619-814-4124
Jeune Et Jolie	Carlsbad CA	858-231-0862
Extraordinary Desserts Union St.	San Diego CA	619-294-7001
Public House 131	San Diego CA	858-537-0890
The Santaluz Club Inc - Golf Course Amenities	San Diego CA	858-759-3150
Brockton Villa Restaurant	San Diego CA	858-454-7393

the other 130...

Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club	Rancho Santa Fe CA	858-756-1582
Carolines Seaside Cafe	La Jolla CA	619-646-1481
Hotel Indigo	San Diego CA	619-295-3172
Hornblower Cruises	San Diego CA	619-686-8733
Giaola	Carlsbad CA	858-266-9303
The Haven	San Diego CA	619-964-3778
Jack & Giulio's	San Diego CA	619-294-2074
Rustic Root	San Diego CA	619-232-1747
Smoking Gun (Spill the Beans)	San Diego CA	619-276-6700
Casa	San Diego CA	619-581-3003
Cody's La Jolla	La Jolla CA	858-459-0040
We Olive La Jolla	San Diego CA	858-551-8250
Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District	El Cajon CA	619-644-7585
Ballast Point Rest. - Little Italy	San Diego CA	619-298-2337
AToN Center Inc.	Encinitas CA	858-759-5017
Mimoza Restaurant	San Diego CA	619-228-9357
Thai One On	Carlsbad CA	760-500-8674
Raglan Public House	San Diego CA	619-794-2304
Jujus Kitchen	Bonita CA	619-471-5342
Marriott Courtyard - Broadway	San Diego CA	619-446-3008
Shakespeare's Corner Shoppe & Afternoon Tea	San Diego CA	619-683-2748
Dolce Pane & Vino	Del Mar CA	858-832-1518
Garbatella Osteria Bar	Chula Vista CA	619-651-1185
The Santaluz Club Inc - Main Dining	San Diego CA	858-759-3150
The Trails	San Diego CA	619-581-5331
Harbor Breakfast	San Diego CA	619-888-6586
Huntress (Banquet)	San Diego CA	619-955-5750
JSIX American restaurant & Bar	San Diego CA	619-531-8744
Carte Hotel	San Diego CA	619-365-1858
Tom Hams Light House	San Diego CA	619-291-9110
The Remy	San Diego CA	619-886-1358
Bellamy's Restaurant	Escondido CA	760-747-5000
Secret Sister	San Diego CA	619-281-0718
Bernardo Heights Country Club	San Diego CA	858-487-4022
Lauberge Del Mar	Del Mar CA	858-259-1515
Carruth Cellars Urban Winery	San Diego CA	619-546-9300
Morgan Run Resort and Club	Rancho Sante Fe CA	858-759-5473
The Market by Buon Appetito	San Diego CA	619-237-1335
Pacific Regent La Jolla	San Diego CA	858-597-8008
allmine	Oceanside CA	760-966-6888
Sets Kitchen and Bar	San Marcos CA	970-390-2148
Tartine	Coronado CA	619-435-4323
The Wild Thyme Company	San Diego CA	858-527-0226
Sheraton Carlsbad (7 Mile)	Carlsbad CA	760-827-2400
Voltaire Beach House	San Diego CA	619-997-8792
Marriott Del Mar	San Diego CA	858-369-6029
Le Parfait Paris- Downtown	San Diego CA	619-245-4457
The Smoking Goat	San Diego CA	858-232-4220
Il Sogno Italiano	San Diego CA	619-380-2652
Food by Chef Ty	Vista CA	323-506-1890
Bencotto Italian Kitchen	San Diego CA	619-822-5493
Belmont Park Cannonball	San Diego CA	858-228-9283
Crust Pizzeria Solana Beach	Solana Beach CA	858-212-8751
The Compass	Carlsbad CA	760-434-1900
Marriott Gaslamp	San Diego CA	619-696-0234 x6051
The Crossings	Carlsbad CA	760-444-1800
The Bier Garden	Encinitas CA	760-632-2437
Hilton Harbor Island	San Diego CA	619-291-6700
Prager Brothers Artisan Bread	Carlsbad CA	760-445-9536
American Pizza Manufacturing	La Jolla CA	858-246-6756
Toast Catering	San Diego CA	858-208-9422
Shake and Muddle	Chula Vista CA	619-816-5429
Uprising Pizza	El Cajon CA	619-928-3286
Qero	Encinitas CA	Chris 702-334-8845
Kitchens For Good	San Diego CA	619-450-4040
Pippo Pasta	La Jolla CA	858-412-3432
Alila Marea Beach Resort	Encinitas CA	805-539-9719
Whiskey Girl	San Diego CA	619-236-1616
The Shores	La Jolla CA	858-459-8271
Continental Catering Inc	La Mesa CA	907-738-9264
Booze Brothers Brewing Co.	Vista CA	760-639-8338
Marys Gourmet Salads	La Jolla CA	858-925-4690
Pamplemousse Grill	Solana Beach CA	858-792-9090
Pizza Bros	Fallbrook CA	760-295-0217
Park Commons - ARE	San Diego CA	619-295-3172
Miguel's Cocina Pt Loma	San Diego CA	619-224-2401
ESCA BLU	San Diego CA	760-840-1129
InterContinental San Diego	San Diego CA	619-501-9400
Poseidon on the Beach	Del Mar CA	858-755-9345
Green Acres Campus	San Diego CA	858-450-9907
La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club	San Diego CA	858-454-7126
Viejas Casino Banquets	Alpine Ca	619-295-3172
Cliffhanger Cafe Menu	San Diego CA	858-452-9858
Coin-Op Game Room (Downtown)	San Diego CA	619-255-8864
Croutons Carlsbad	Carslbad CA	760-930-6585
Smoking Gun	San Diego CA	619-276-6700
US Grant Hotel Main	San Diego CA	619-232-3121
Justin Hoehn	San Diego CA	619 326 8895
Isola La Jolla	La Jolla CA	858-412-5566
Davanti Enoteca India St.	San Diego CA	619-237-9606
Bantams Roost Public House	Carlsbad CA	858-245-7166
Extraordinary Desserts	San Diego CA	619-294-2132
Little Lion	San Diego CA	619-519-4079
Harley Gray Kitchen and Bar	San Diego CA	619-840-7000
Paradise Point Resort Tidal	San Diego CA	858-490-6363
Reata Glen	Ladera Ranch CA	949-545-2250
Pitchers	San Diego CA	8584721251
One Door North	San Diego CA	858-232-4220
Crust Pizzeria-Carmel	San Diego CA	858-212-8751
Himitsu	La Jolla CA	858-345-0220
US Grant Hotel Grill	San Diego CA	619-232-3121
Fish Market Downtown	San Diego CA	619-232-3474
Hilton Mission Valley	San Diego CA	619-543-9000
Fairmont Grand Del Mar	San Diego CA	858-314-1975
Coya Peruvian Secret	Del Mar CA	619-295-3172
Cardellino	San Diego CA	619-722-3398
The Corner Drafthouse	San Diego CA	619-255-2631
Barbarella La Jolla	La Jolla CA	858-454-7373
Cal A Vie	Vista CA	760-945-2055
Sheraton La Jolla	San Diego CA	858-453-5500
Encontro North Park	San Diego CA	310-955-6333
Hilton San Diego Gaslamp	San Diego CA	619-231-4040
Pacific Cafe & Catering (Medical Cntr Dr.)	La Jolla CA	619-808-4087
Bea Green Cold Pressed Juice	Alpine CA	619-398-6295
UCSD Food & Nutrition Department Hillcrest	San Diego CA	619-380-9840
The Santaluz Club Inc - Banquet	San Diego CA	858-759-3150
Mille Fleurs	Rancho Santa Fe CA	858-756-3085
Artifact at Mingei	San Diego CA	619-846-2164
Milk Organics	Vista CA	760-504-8019
Pizza Cassette	San Diego CA	802-310-5601
Elixir Juice and Food	Del Mar CA	858-794-6838
Villa Capri Poway	Poway CA	858-391-9400
The Tavern	Coronado CA	602-628-5890
Farmer and The Seahorse	San Diego CA	619-302-3682
Marriott Marquis North Tower	San Diego CA	619-234-1500
Wheat & Water	La Jolla CA	858-291-8690
Half Door Brewing	San Diego CA	619-655-7459
Hotel La Jolla & CUSP -CLK	La Jolla CA	858-459-0261
Uptown Tavern	San Diego CA	619-683-9322
Edgewater Grill	San Diego CA	619-232-7581

Recipe Ideas

Recipes that include Baby Spoon Spinach. One

is easiest, three is harder.

Rock Recipes		Spinach Pesto Papparedlle
The Cooking Jar		Spinach and Artichoke Ravioli Bake
Yup, It's Vegan		Easy Spinach Pesto Pasta
Simply So Healthy		Spinach Salad with Blueberry Balsamic and Warm Goat Cheese
My Kids Lick The Bowl		Spinach Muffins for Toddlers
Katie at the Kitchen Door		Homemade Spinach Wraps with Chopped Greek Salad
Rachel's Recipe Box		Stuffed Chicken Breasts with Spinach
Play. Party. Plan.		5-Minute Spinach and Pine Nut Pesto
Six Sisters Stuff		Creamy Spinach and Tomato Pasta
She Cooks...He Cleans		Seared Scallops with Apple Cider-Balsamic Glaze

the other 37...

A Cedar Spoon		Smoked Sausage, White Bean and Spinach Pasta with Toasted Pine Nuts
The Busy Baker		Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Mushrooms
Kleinworth & Co		Cheesy Spinach Crescents
Simple Healthy Kitchen		Spinach and Goat Cheese Hasselback Chicken
Radiate Food Vibes		The Ultimate Hot Spinach-Artichoke Dip
Garnish with Lemon		Spinach Banana Protein Smoothie
Zen and Spice		Spinach Tortellini Soup
Eat Yourself Skinny		Spinach and Egg White Omelet
Bowl of Delicious		Slow Cooker Asparagus, Spinach, and Potato Soup
Ahead of Thyme		Spinach and Green Pea Soup
My Cooking Hut		Spinach and Blue Cheese Quiche
Dizzy, Busy, and Hungry		Fiesta Lasagna
Cooking Classy		Cranberry Almond Spinach Salad
Grits and Pinecones		Spinach, Apple, and Cranberry Salad
Much Butter		Crispy Spinach Chips
SlimSanity		Spinach Protein Waffles
Damn Delicious		Creamy Spinach and Mushroom Lasagna
Frugal Farm Wife		Gluten-Free Breakfast Pizza
Happy Healthy Mama		Baked Eggs and Spinach in Sweet Potato Boats
Dinner with Julie		Asparagus, Tomato and Spinach Frittata
Little Broken		Artichoke and Spinach Roasted Salmon
Red and Honey		Blueberry and Spinach Muffins
The Pretty Bee		Pasta with Creamy Spinach Sauce
The Happy Foodie		Baby Spinach Salad with Dates and Almonds
Big Flavors From A Tiny Kitchen		Baby Spinach and Cheddar Quiche
Play. Party. Plan.		Strawberry Spinach Salad
Recipe Runner		Spinach and Artichoke Dip Pizza
The Kitchen is My Playground		Wilted Spinach Salad
Healthy Little Foodies		Green Smoothie Pancakes
Basil & Bubbly		Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breasts
Ahead of Thyme		Mediterranean Scrambled Eggs with Spinach, Tomato, and Feta
Sweet As Honey		Creamy Spinach Dip
Green Kitchen Stories		Gluten Free Spinach and Carrot Muffins
Little Broken		Cauliflower and Spinach "Mac" and Cheese
Nutmeg Nanny		Chicken Bacon Spinach Grilled Cheese
Mimi Avocado		Lamb Sliders with Spinach
Two Peas and Their Pod		5-Ingredient Spinach Parmesan Pasta

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