Simple & Delicious Spinach Side Dish & Pro Tips for Fresh Storage
Simple & Delicious Spinach Side Dish & Pro Tips for Fresh Storage
How to Store and Enjoy Freshly Harvested Spinach
I’ll show you how to store and eat spinach that you’ve bought in bulk from the field, making it delicious. Plus, we’ll make a simple yet tasty seasoned spinach side dish.
Seasoning Ingredients- 20 bunches fresh spinach
- 1/2 tsp coarse salt
- 1/2 tsp anchovy sauce (like ‘Ge-se-ma-ri’ brand)
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- 1 pinch sugar
- 1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil (or perilla oil)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
[✨ Pro Tip: Storing Spinach Freshly] This spinach, grown in the open field and bathed in sunlight, is exceptionally flavorful. We bought a generous 24 pounds (about 10kg)! Here’s how to keep it fresh for a long time. 
Step 2
First, wash the spinach once under running water, just enough to dislodge any soil from the root ends. Gently shake the roots to help the dirt fall off.
Step 3
Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Once boiling, carefully place the spinach bunches upright into the pot, with the root ends submerged. Blanch for about 30 seconds.
Step 4
Now, gently stir the spinach so the leaves submerge, and blanch for another 30 seconds. Be careful not to overcook, as it can become mushy. Timing is key!
Step 5
Immediately remove the blanched spinach from the hot water.
Step 6
Transfer the spinach into a bowl of cold water. Gently separate the root sections while rinsing to ensure all dirt and grit are washed away.
Step 7
Rinse again in fresh cold water, focusing on the root areas to thoroughly clean them. After rinsing about three times, your blanched spinach will be perfectly clean and fresh.
Step 8
When squeezing out the water, don’t wring it out too tightly. Leave it slightly damp, as if it’s still holding some moisture. This helps prevent the spinach from drying out when frozen.
Step 9
Portion the squeezed spinach into individual portions, place them in sealable bags, and freeze. When ready to eat, thaw naturally or briefly blanch. This method allows you to enjoy fresh spinach year-round.
Step 10
[🥢 Making Delicious Seasoned Spinach] Now, let’s make a tasty side dish with the blanched spinach. Gently squeeze out excess water with your hands, then trim off the tough root ends. (This is for 20 bunches of spinach). 
Step 11
Cut the trimmed spinach into bite-sized pieces, about 3-4 cm (1.5 inches) long, for easy eating.
Step 12
Place the cut spinach in a bowl and add the seasonings: 1/2 tsp coarse salt, 1/2 tsp anchovy sauce, 1 tsp minced garlic, and a tiny pinch of sugar to balance the flavors.
Step 13
Finally, add 1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds for nutty aroma and 1 Tbsp sesame oil (or perilla oil) for fragrance.
Step 14
Gently mix everything together with your hands, ensuring the seasonings are evenly distributed. You’ll have a perfectly seasoned, savory, and delicious spinach side dish! Freshly made namul is the best accompaniment to rice.
