(Spinacia oleracea)
Spinach was first cultivated in Persia thousands of years ago. By way of Northern Africa, it spread to European gardens by c.1350. When young Catherine de Médicis left Florence, Italy to marry the King of France c.1530, she brought with her, spinach, and chefs who knew how to prepare it. Since that time cuisine accompanied with spinach has generally been referred to as “à la Florentine”. Spinach has also been given the honour of being the most beneficial of all vegetables due to its high content of vitamins E, C, folic acid and omega-3 fatty acids. Popeye was no fool!