Community Gardens of Santa Clarita
  • Home
  • About
    • Get Involved
    • Garden Members
    • Our History
    • Blog
    • Executive Garden Council
    • Bloom into Spring 2019
  • Calendar
  • Committees
    • CGSC Community Outreach
    • CGSC Compost Committee
    • CGSC Education Committee >
      • Children's Gardening Workshops
      • Adult Gardening Workshops
    • CGSC Greenhouse Committee
    • CGSC Special Events
    • CGSC Landscaping Committee
  • Learning Stations
    • Barn Owl Nesting Boxes
    • Bluebird Nesting Boxes
    • CA Native Plants
    • CGSC Chicken Coop
    • Composting
    • Honey Bees
    • Monarch Butterflies
    • Solar Power
    • The Greenhouse
  • Resources
    • Garden Member Forms
    • Bettye's Corner
    • Garden Guru
    • Monthly Garden Checklist
    • Vegetable of the Month
    • CGSC Gardening Tips
    • Informative Gardening Videos
    • Helpful Gardening Websites
  • Contact Us

Vegetable of the Month

Picture

Spinach
Spinach is a leafy green vegetable that originated in Persia.  It’s considered very healthy, and loaded with nutrients and antioxidants.
Eating spinach may benefit eye health, reduce oxidative stress, help prevent cancer, and reduce blood pressure levels.
The nutrition facts for 3.5 ounces (100 grams) of raw spinach are:
  • Calories: 23
  • Water: 91%
  • Protein: 2.9 grams
  • Carbs: 3.6 grams
  • Sugar: 0.4 grams
  • Fiber: 2.2 grams
  • Fat: 0.4 grams

Most of the carbs in spinach consist of fiber, which is incredibly healthy.
Spinach also contains small amounts of sugar, mostly in the form of glucose and fructose

Vitamins and minerals:Spinach is an excellent source of many vitamins and minerals, including:
  • Vitamin A. Spinach is high in carotenoids, which your body can turn into vitamin A.
  • Vitamin C. This vitamin is a powerful antioxidant that promotes skin health and immune function.
  • Vitamin K1. This vitamin is essential for blood clotting. Notably, one spinach leaf contains over half of your daily needs.
  • Folic acid. Also known as folate or vitamin B9, this compound is vital for pregnant womenand essential for normal cellular function and tissue growth.
  • Iron. Spinach is an excellent source of this essential mineral. Iron helps create hemoglobin, which brings oxygen to your body’s tissues.
  • Calcium. This mineral is essential for bone health and a crucial signaling molecule for your nervous system, heart, and muscles.



Picture
Creamed Spinach, c/o Jessica Gavin
​
Creamed spinach is a classic holiday side dish. Fresh spinach leaves are blanched and then stirred into a luxurious cheesy cream sauce.  4 servings
​

Ingredients
    •    16 ounces spinach, washed and stems removed
    •    2 quarts water
    •    1 teaspoon kosher salt, for seasoning water
    •    2 teaspoons minced garlic
    •    ½ cup diced shallots, ¼-inch dice
    •    2 tablespoons unsalted butter
    •    2 tablespoons flour
    •    ½ cup whole milk
    •    ½ cup heavy cream
    •    ¼ cup pecorino romano
    •    ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
    •    ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
    •    Remove the stems from the spinach or leave on if using baby spinach. Wash the spinach and shake off excess water
    •    Bring 2 quarts of water and 1 teaspoon of salt to a boil in a large pot.
    •    Add a third of the spinach and blanch for 30 seconds. Transfer cooked spinach to a colander. Repeat with the remaining spinach.
    •    Run cool water over the spinach to stop the cooking process until they are cool to the touch.
    •    Gently squeeze out excess moisture from spinach using your hands.
    •    Heat a large skillet over medium heat.
    •    Add the butter, once melted add the garlic, saute until fragrant, 30 seconds.
    •    Add shallots and cook until tender, 2 minutes.
    •    Add the flour, stir to combine and cook for 2 minutes.
    •    Slowly add in the milk and heavy cream, whisking to combine until thickened sauce is formed, about 3 to 4 minutes.
    •    Reduce the heat to low, whisk in the cheese, nutmeg, and black pepper.
    •    Add in the cooked spinach, stir and cook until warmed through, 2 to 4 minutes.
    •    Taste the creamed spinach and adjust seasonings as needed. Serve immediately.
Notes
    •    Recipe makes about 2 cups creamed spinach
    •    Serving Size: ½ cup
    •    Storage: Creamed spinach can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
    •    Reheat: Microwave for 90 to 120 seconds, in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until warmed through.
    •    Using Frozen Spinach: Defrost about 2 cups of frozen spinach, squeezing out some of the excess moisture. Add to the cream sauce to warm. 

Veggie/Fruit of the Month

Beets
Broccoli
Cauliflower
Cucumber
Peas

Tomatoes
Turnips

Located in Central Park at 27150 Bouquet Canyon Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91350
​Mailing Address: PO Box 802573 Santa Clarita, CA 91380


Picture
  • Home
  • About
    • Get Involved
    • Garden Members
    • Our History
    • Blog
    • Executive Garden Council
    • Bloom into Spring 2019
  • Calendar
  • Committees
    • CGSC Community Outreach
    • CGSC Compost Committee
    • CGSC Education Committee >
      • Children's Gardening Workshops
      • Adult Gardening Workshops
    • CGSC Greenhouse Committee
    • CGSC Special Events
    • CGSC Landscaping Committee
  • Learning Stations
    • Barn Owl Nesting Boxes
    • Bluebird Nesting Boxes
    • CA Native Plants
    • CGSC Chicken Coop
    • Composting
    • Honey Bees
    • Monarch Butterflies
    • Solar Power
    • The Greenhouse
  • Resources
    • Garden Member Forms
    • Bettye's Corner
    • Garden Guru
    • Monthly Garden Checklist
    • Vegetable of the Month
    • CGSC Gardening Tips
    • Informative Gardening Videos
    • Helpful Gardening Websites
  • Contact Us