Everybody knows spinach is good for you. We all learned it from Popeye or our mothers, right? Spinach is a great source of Vitamin A, magnesium, potassium, and iron. Although it's available year-round in convenient pre-washed packages, fresh local spinach in season is a real treat. Spinach is one of spring's early gems and it's this month's What's Fresh feature.

If you're concerned about exposure to pesticides, buy organic. Since spinach grows close to the ground, conventionally-grown crops can have high levels of pesticide residue. (Check out this list to see which conventional crops are safer than others.)

Think about new ways to incorporate spinach into your diet, beyond salads:

1. Add whole spinach leaves to stir fry just before serving.
2. Stir into soups and stews.
3. Make pesto with olive oil and walnuts.
4. Toss into tofu scramble.
5. Blend into green smoothies, like (never)homemaker's Chocolate Peanut Butter Green Smoothie.

Trying to find out what's in season in your area? Epicurious's Peak-Season Map allows you to select the month and your home state to find out what's in harvest. Check it out!

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