Spinach – Popeye’s secret

Here, in the lands of the Indian Ocean, spinach has conquered its place at the table of Mozambican families for some time now. We don’t know exactly how it arrived at our table, but the dark green grass, which has its origins in Asia, gained its space being sold everywhere, markets, supermarkets and dumbanengues.

Worldwide, spinach became popular thanks to the character Popeye, created in 1929 by cartoonist Elzie Crisler Segar. The sailor of comics and cartoons, Popeye, would eat canned spinach whenever he was in trouble, his muscles growing and becoming stronger. When the cartoon was first shown, a belief was created that those who eat spinach get stronger. Many parents back then, and some today, tell the Popeye story to convince their children to consume spinach. After all, kids don’t usually like vegetables.

The truth is that spinach is rich in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, however, by itself, it doesn’t make anyone get Popeye’s muscles. When consumed in a balanced way and combined with other foods, they help keep our health in check. Some of its nutrients help prevent some types of cancer, keep eyes healthy, improve blood pressure and the fluidity of blood circulation. As everything in excess can be pernicious, one cannot overconsume this food.

There are 1001 ways to prepare spinach, whether raw or cooked. In soups to warm us up during the winter, in a refreshing salad on hot summer days, in an omelette for brunch or even in a vegetable and fruit smoothie, spinach is always a good option as an ingredient to compose a colourful and healthy meal.

And, if you want to grow it in your family garden or in pots, just buy the seeds and plant, spinach doesn’t need much care and grows better during the cold season.

Spinach became popular thanks to the character Popeye, created in 1929 by cartoonist Elzie Crisler Segar.

Adverstising

Issue 73 May/Jun | Download.