Spinach is one of the most versatile vegetables around. It can be eaten raw in salads, blended into smoothies, sautéed with garlic or baked into dips and pies. National Spinach Day, on March 26, celebrates this leafy green, which is packed with vitamins and minerals. Spinach is also one of the first crops ready in spring gardens, making late March a perfect time to plant or enjoy it.
History of National Spinach Day
Spinach likely originated in ancient Persia, in what is now Iran. It spread to India and China, where it was known as the 'Persian vegetable', and was brought to Spain by the Moors in the 11th or 12th century.
In Europe, spinach became popular because it grows quickly in cool weather and was one of the first green vegetables available in spring. Catherine de' Medici, an Italian noblewoman who became queen of France in the 1500s, was said to love spinach so much that dishes served on a bed of spinach are still called 'à la Florentine', after her home city of Florence.
In the 20th century, a cartoon sailor who gained strength from eating canned spinach helped boost spinach's popularity in the United States in the 1930s. Spinach is often said to be exceptionally high in iron because of a misplaced decimal point, but that story is itself a myth; spinach has a moderate amount of iron, which the body does not absorb easily. Who created National Spinach Day is not documented.
Why National Spinach Day Matters
Spinach is rich in vitamins A, C and K, folate and fiber, and it is low in calories.
It is also easy to grow and quick to cook, making it an accessible way to add more vegetables to meals.
How to Celebrate National Spinach Day
- Make a spinach salad: add strawberries, nuts and feta.
- Blend a green smoothie: spinach pairs well with banana and pineapple.
- Sauté with garlic: cook spinach quickly in olive oil for a side dish.
- Bake a classic: make spinach and artichoke dip or spanakopita.
- Plant spinach: sow seeds in early spring for a quick harvest.
Celebrating at Work, School and Home
At work, a salad bar with spinach and plenty of toppings makes a fresh lunch option. In classrooms, students can grow spinach in containers, measure its growth, and learn about nutrients, or bust food myths by researching the spinach iron story. At home, families can blend green smoothies, which many children enjoy when sweetened with fruit, or bake a spinach and cheese pie together. Plant spinach in a pot on the balcony; it grows fast and can be harvested a few leaves at a time.
Fun Facts About National Spinach Day
- Spinach likely originated in ancient Persia.
- 'Florentine' dishes are served on spinach, after Catherine de' Medici's home city.
- The 'misplaced decimal point' story about spinach's iron is itself a myth.
National Spinach Day FAQs
When is National Spinach Day?
National Spinach Day is March 26.
Is spinach really high in iron?
It has a moderate amount of iron, but the body absorbs it less easily than iron from meat.
Is raw or cooked spinach better?
Both are healthy; cooking reduces volume and makes some nutrients easier to absorb.
Where does spinach come from?
Spinach likely originated in ancient Persia.