Spinach with Raisins and Pine Nuts

Amarante

Fri, Feb 05 2021, 11:26 am

This is another classic dish but this recipe produced a really good result. As recipe indicates, it can be served at room temperature.

The combination of raisins, garlic, nuts for crunch and spinach is classic because it is so delicious together.

The cookbook had some very nice versions of classic Jewish foods.

Spinach with Raisins and Pine Nuts

Excerpt From: Marcia Friedman - The Essential Jewish Cookbook: 100 Easy Recipes for the Modern Jewish Kitchen

GLUTEN-FREE, KOSHER, VEGETARIAN / SERVES 4 TO 6

PREP TIME: 10 minutes / COOK TIME: 10 minutes

When Muslim rulers arrived in the Iberian peninsula and Sicily during the ninth century, they introduced the combination of raisins or currants and pine nuts, often cooked with spinach. Later, Sicilian and Sephardi Jews likely carried this preparation north, where it became a specialty in Rome and Venice, and after that in Greece, Turkey, and Spain. It’s a venerable side dish for Shabbat dinners and on Rosh Hashanah.

¼ cup raisins, golden raisins, or currants
Extra-virgin olive oil
1 small sweet onion, finely chopped
3 tablespoons pine nuts
3 garlic cloves, slivered
3 (8-ounce) bags prewashed spinach (not baby spinach)
¼ lemon, plus additional as needed
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper

1. Add the raisins to a small bowl and cover with hot water. Let rest until plump, about 10 minutes, and drain.

2. Meanwhile, warm a thin layer of olive oil in a large skillet over low heat. Once hot, fry the onion until softened, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the pine nuts and garlic and stir until lightly browned, 1 to 3 minutes.

3. Increase heat slightly. Add half the spinach, turning constantly, and after it starts to wilt, add the rest. Cook, stirring frequently, until wilted and most liquid is evaporated, 3 to 5 minutes.

4. Squeeze lemon juice over the top and stir in the raisins, salt, and pepper.

5. If bitter, add more lemon juice to taste. Transfer to a bowl (drain excess liquid if desired). Serve warm or at room temperature.