BABY SPINACH PUREE

Many new mothers underrate the importance of spicing up baby food with spinach. This article is intended to x-ray the hidden benefits of feeding babies with spinach. So, are you yet to introduce this nutritious green vegetable to your little one? Or your little one isn’t accepting it because it doesn’t taste yummy like other purees? Don’t worry, we will show you how to introduce this vegetable to your baby should he/she doesn’t like the taste of just spinach. Babies of around six months who just started eating solids are open to a wide variety of flavours whether sweet, bitter, or what have you. But older babies and toddlers may not accept just the vegetable if they are not already used to it. So don’t give up trying!

To improve acceptability, the brilliant idea would be to combine the spinach or other vegetables with other yummy baby puree(s) that would enhance the taste and make your baby want it. You know, for us adults, it’s not all about the yumminess but the nutritional values, while for our little ones, it’s vice versa. Our goal is to make their food nutritious and yummy at the same time so that they don’t lack any important nutrients in their bodies which is vital for their proper growth; also we don’t spend so much time feeding them.

Let’s talk a little bit about this vegetable before diving into its preparation and other vital components. Spinach puree is also known as palak puree. Spinach is a green leafy vegetable and native vegetable of central and western Asia. They’re different types of spinach ranging from Persian spinach, which is seen almost everywhere, to African or Indian spinach, etc., depending on the country you live in. We believe that any variety of spinach within your reach should be rich in minerals such as calcium, vitamin A, vitamin k1, vitamin C, iron, and folic acid, and might be suitable for your baby’s puree. Always remember to go for the best spinach and also consult your baby’s paediatrician before introducing new food to your baby.

Preparation time

The puree takes about 15-20 min to make. Kindly pay keen attention and get the best recommendation.

Age recommendations

6 months upward

Ingredients needed

Spinach

Water

How to prepare spinach puree

Here are quick steps of preparing your baby’s home-made fresh spinach puree

1. Get the spinach within your reach
2. Carefully select the stems as they’re not needed for the puree
3. Gently wash the leaves and remove excess water using a strainer. You could chop the spinach if you want to
4. Place them in your steamer or pot and steam or cook for about 4 – 6 min until they’re tender
5. To stop the cooking process, drain the hot water out and run them over the tap of cold water and drain the excess water again using a strainer
6. Place the leaves in the blender and blend until it’s smooth and to your desired consistency
7. You could add breast milk, formula, water,  or other purees to improve acceptance and serve your baby

Choosing the right spinach for your baby’s puree

I would recommend you go for organic or baby spinach whose leaves are green and not yellowing, crisp, or without any form of darkening or tearing. But if you do not have the money, you could consider the one you have around that is green, not crisp, with no darkening or tearing or yellowing.

How to store uncooked spinach

Do not wash the leaves if you are not using them the same day otherwise it will deteriorate by the time you store them overnights, even if you refrigerate them.

Always store them unwashed in the refrigerator in a loose food plastic bag as they could last four to  five days depending on their freshness when you bought them.

How to store home-made spinach puree

For refrigerating option: you can store in your baby’s tight containers in the refrigerator for up to two to three days within 2 to 5 degree Celsius

For the freezing option: just as you freeze other purees, scoop the puree and carefully pace them on the ice-cube tray, and store them in the freezer. Once they’re properly frozen, remove them and put them in your baby’s containers or bag, and store them back in the freezer which could last for up to two to three months.

Nutritional values per cup

Other recipe ideas to try with spinach

Sweet potato puree

Carrot puree

Pumpkin puree

Banana puree

Blueberry puree

Apple puree

Pear puree

Whole-wheat pasta

Brown or white rice

Brown or white beans

Peas puree

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