Let’s cook in season, it’s May
Spinach is one of Albania's traditional ingredients and although it appears within many Albanian recipes, most locals will use this ingredient to make different variations of spinach pies.
COOK IN SEASON THIS MONTH: SPINACH
Others: Leeks, Spring Greens, Kale & Cauliflower
Spinach is one of Albania’s traditional ingredients and although it appears within many Albanian recipes, most locals will use this ingredient to make different variations of spinach pies.
In Albania, you can trace spinach back to the Ottoman cuisine along with another cheap and easy to grow vegetable, leeks. It’s grown in many villages and available in large bunches mixed with the vibrant colours of fresh fruit and veg being sold along every street.
Tips for preparing Spinach
Spinach should be washed before use as the leaves and stems can collect dirt and soil. If you’ve got fresh spinach still with roots, trim off the roots and separate the leaves before washing. Spinach sold in bags has normally been pre-washed and only needs to be rinsed.
Small great ways to use spinach
1. Add a layer of spinach to your homemade lasagna
2. For ricotta recipes, trying mixing in some spinach with the ricotta
3. Add spinach to your salad
OUR FAVOURITE ALBANIAN SPINACH RECIPES
LET’S START TO GROW
Sow direct to the ground:
Broad Beans, Beetroot, Spinach and Summer Cabbage
Plant direct to the ground:
Onions, Mint and Salads
Sow indoors:
Asparagus, Cucumbers, Celery, Tomatoes and Sweet Peppers.
When I was growing up in Forest Hills, New York, I had an Armenian-American Family on one side who grew mint ( ananukh) and an Albanian-American on the other side who had a large fig tree (fiq )