Bordeaux spinach from Botanical Interests
We had a yummy spinach salad, and gave away the rest of this bowlful to two neighbors. I probably would not have done that if I didn’t know more was coming soon.
This seed was sown April 4th. That means it took 51 days from planting to harvest. And he probably could have harvested it sooner. If we weren’t having this heat wave, we wouldn’t need to be in such a hurry to harvest it. I think. On the other hand, it seems we are always complaining about how fast the spinach bolts. Margaret Roach sows her spinach the year before to avoid this problem. I remember reading that in her book
Purdyville Spinach Salad
24 cups washed, spun-dry, coarsely chopped (or torn) spinach
2 pounds thick-sliced bacon–fried, drained and crumbled
6 ounces mushrooms–sliced
12 hard boiled eggs–peeled or chopped
Wash spinach, spin dry, place in refrigerator to chill. Fry bacon until a combination of chewy and crunchy is achieved (about 10 minutes of medium-slow cooking). While bacon is cooking, clean mushrooms and thinly slice. Drain bacon on paper toweling and then crumble. Chop spinach into coarse pieces and toss spinach, bacon and mushrooms together. Top with chopped egg and serve with a sprinkle of paprika if you’re feeling fancy. Makes enough to serve 12.
That’s the basic idea, and each person adds the dressing of their choice. But last night was short notice for spinach salad, so I used only one pound of bacon and skipped the mushrooms (not sure who likes them besides me, anyway) and I threw in some sliced green onions because I needed to use them up.
How’s your spinach crop coming? And what’s your favorite way to eat it?
‘Bordeaux’ spinach seed provided by Botanical Interests
I have not grown that type of spinach yet. It seem interesting enough to do it! I am a High Density Bucket Gardener, which means that I grow things close together. Maybe that will help with the heat??
Spinch cooked with lamb breasts is the best spinach dish, I like it. Your article was the cause of making this preparation thaks. It is said that those suffering from UTI should avoid sinach eating for high level of oxilated in spinach family
I would love to know all about seeet Basil culinary details if you can
Looks healthy for the tummy… makes you strong and healthy!
.-= how to garden better´s last blog ..Retro Vintage Teapots – Kitchen and Living Room – Retro Home Decor for Literature Ladies =-.
Spinach is sown in September and gets ready for harvest before November. If we have a bumper crop and save even after sharing with the neighbours, we do not throw it. We clean it wash it thoroughly and allow it to dry under shade, when the spinach is half dried it is rubbed in handful amounts till juices come out of the half dry spinach. Then it becomes dark green and when dry looks good .store it in cheese cloth. To recover the veggie, just put it in warm water for some time cut it or process in a food processor and fry with mutton. Add spices of your liking
Our broccoli and lettuce bolted last week, and I have since pulled it. Was sad to do it.
Suzanne
.-= Window On The Prairie´s last blog ..Early Summer Flower Garden =-.
Oh, forgot my favorite spinach way … ‘Strawberry & Spinach Salad’, with a sweet dressing and toasted almonds.
.-= SwimRay´s last blog ..Unlicensed Propagation Prohibited! =-.
I got one meager harvest of spinach this year in Virginia. After a boatload of 90 degree temperatures already this year, the broccoli, dill, and lettuce have joined the spinach on the compost pile. Sigh… climate change is alive and well this year.
.-= SwimRay´s last blog ..Unlicensed Propagation Prohibited! =-.
We didn’t get the spinach panted in time – we will wait and do a fall crop probably. We have had several meals of beet greens though, and the spring kale is ready to eat in the next day or two. Love your spinach salad!
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I love those red stems. We have been eating our spinach for a couple of weeks – and still going strong. I made a spinach salad with fresh winecap mushrooms that a neighbor grew. Fantastic. We are harvesting lettuce too!
.-= commonweeder´s last blog ..Growth – High and Low =-.
I love the red stems of your salad greens, do you remember the seed name? I’m on Cape Cod, and have been having great luck this year with the spinach. I’m pinching the outer leaves every 2 or 3 days, keeping the soil well stirred around the plants to help with the weeds, improve moisture, and decrease heat. I’ve also planted New Zeland Spinach along side as this doesn’t bolt, and will keep me in similar greens all summer. I’ve got a few cabbages and tomato plants dispersed throughout the row, hoping that as they grow, they will shade and maybe prolong my harvest. Isn’t intoxicating to be eating greens out of the garden again?! Do you think you’ll try a second spinach planting this fall?
Wow, what a gorgeous spinach harvet! Down here in Dutchess County, NY, my spinach is just starting to bolt. I always feel a bit of sadness when I know my cool season vegetables are almost done, but that just means that it’s time for the heat lovers like eggplant and peppers to come out! Maybe I’ll try a little fall sowing this year, never have before.
Lucky you! I have had a terrible time getting greens going this spring!
It was crazy weather, that’s for sure.
Beautiful! We had a few plants that overwintered from late fall plantings, and those are bolting. I seeded very late, so not sure we’ll get some unless I can be creative with some semi-shade. Miss having fresh spinach around.
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Hi, That’s very nice to know that you have harvested spinach without any complication. They were looking very healthy and Yummy. Did any kind of pest bother your spinach plot?
We didn’t notice any pests.
This spinach looks very interesting. Must try that.
Love my spinach just wilted with olive oil, garlic and some blue cheese tossed over pasta.
.-= Anja´s last blog ..May 19, Vegetables =-.
I forgot to sow mine. Too late now. Yours looks so good.
Are you still fighting mallows?
I still have to weed some out but not like I once did. Other plants are filling in to the extent that the mallow seedlings get shaded out. Thanks for asking. You must be a long time reader
And a mallow lover. 🙂 I have a bed in front of my porch that I’m trying to fill with mallows and hollyhocks. I can’t get anything to grow there and so I am turning to pretty invasives. 🙂
I stand corrected – I CAN get those yellow mustard weeds to grow there. A LOT. 😀
And a patch on one side of my house that has been killed with old roofing that I am trying to make look decent with Bishop’s Weed. 🙂
Really, anything that isn’t knotweed or mustard has become a quick friend of mine. 😀
Oh, I still like mallows. Just the pink Malva alcea got out of hand.
That spinach looks beautiful! I’m not sure I’m going to get a crop at all this year – my early crop got too dry (I think) – it never really wanted to grow, and once it finally started it just disappeared. Could have been critters, too… I wasn’t keeping a close enough watch.
My second crop came up, but those 90-degree days this week were hard on it, the bed it was in is one of the more exposed in the garden (I wasn’t expecting merciless sun and 90 degrees in May!)
Maybe next year… fortunately, I have lots of other veggies to keep me happy; the lettuce and the radishes have been wonderful (although the daikons started bolting yesterday), and I’ll probably manage to harvest enough spinach for a small bowl, anyway – a taste of possibilities (or something like that!)
That is luscious looking spinach 🙂 I don’t do well with autumn crops either, but I have guessed that it might be a matter of attention to watering. At that time I leave things to fend for themselves…which is never good for new seedlings!
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I just harvested mine, and it bolted the next day. Wasn’t that Bordeaux mix pretty? It tasted good too. I think I could do the overwintering thing. Will think on that this fall.
This was a good year for spinach in my garden, much better than in past years. I do get a crop most springs, but don’t have much luck in the fall. When I should plant it in fall it always is to hot for good germination, then when I get it started it doesn’t have enough time to mature. My favorite way to eat spinach is on a sandwich in place of lettuce. Happy growing, and eating.