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Spinach is an annual herbaceous plant. It is a leafy green vegetable, which has an oval shape and is somewhat wrinkled. It has a single central stem that is long and fleshy, from which the leaves sprout. There are different types of spinach, but the most common ones are savoy, which have wrinkled leaves. Properties and benefits: A vegetable with multiple vitamins and minerals that can be consumed both raw and cooked. They go great as a side dish with legumes or fish. They are good for the cardiovascular system due to their folic acid content. They improve our bones due to their vitamin K content, which is essential for proper calcium absorption. They also contain minerals such as magnesium, zinc, copper, and phosphorus. They help stabilize blood sugar levels. They are beneficial when we have an iron deficiency. Their contribution of lutein makes them an essential food for our eye health. They help maintain the balance of our bacterial flora. They reduce bone pressure thanks to their potassium content. Having a high fiber and water content promotes intestinal transit. The presence of vitamin A in spinach helps us have healthy skin and hair. Nutritional value per 100g: Calories: 23 kcal Carbohydrates: 3.6 g Sugar: 0.4 g Total fat: 0.4 g Protein: 2.9 g Cholesterol: 0 g Potassium: 558 mg Vitamin C: 28.1 mg Vitamin E: 2 mg Calcium: 99 mg Iron: 2.7 mg Magnesium: 79 mg Phosphorus: 49 mg Sodium: 79 mg Storage and tips: Spinach is a perishable food. Store them in the refrigerator in the lower part and never wash them if you are not going to consume them immediately. They do not last more than two days, so we recommend consuming them immediately. To wash fresh spinach, the fastest way is to immerse them in a bowl of water, or you can also wash each leaf under the tap. Recipe and uses in the kitchen: Steaming preserves their properties very well, but you can also boil, sauté, or fry them. If they are fresh and you are going to consume them raw, you should wash them before and remove the tougher stems. You can add them to salads or smoothies. If you like spinach, you can make a dish of sautéed spinach with ham and pine nuts. You should boil the spinach beforehand or steam them. Meanwhile, in a pan, sauté 4 cloves of garlic until golden, and before removing them, add the pine nuts to brown as well. Set aside. Add the spinach to the pan and cook for 10 minutes over medium-high heat, stirring to evaporate the water it releases. And just before removing from heat, add the pine nuts and garlic. When serving, you can add some cubes of ham.