Spinach is a vegetable with smooth or curly, oval green leaves and long stems. The smaller, more tender leaves, called baby spinach, are prized for salads. Avoid spinach that is bruised or slimy. Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Fresh spinach is sandy, so rinse thoroughly before using.
To clean fresh spinach:
Place the leaves in a sink or basin and fill with cold water to cover. Agitate the leaves to remove the dirt. Lift the leaves from the water and set aside. Drain the sink or basin and rinse out the dirt and sand. Repeat the procedure until no grit remains.