Why oh why oh why if I am going to wilt spinach in water do I have to wash it first?

[NAB3]

I will be draining it, so???

Because it is grown in very sandy soil and gritty spinach is revolting.

fresh spinach is full of grit

you really really have to wash it well

otherwise you have gritty wilted spinach

I try to buy the ready washed stuff because it is a faff to wash yourself

I have bought the locally grown spinach and have never seen such clean veg! Kids eaten it and no complaints of any grit so I think I got away with it!!

Apparently if you rinse it in cold water it helps it keep its green colour better as well

Before you cook it?

Yes, before, but I wouldn't then add more water to cook it in. If it's wet from washing when you put it in the pan that will create enough steam to wilt it and it wont end up too soggy.

If you rinse it, then give it a bit of a squeeze and a shake, pop it in the pan you can wilt it with no extra water.

No draining at all.

I drained as I used the water I had boiled the spuds in. DS1 very happy to get spinach.