Authentic Italian Sautéed Spinach with Garlic & Raisins
Experience a classic Italian side dish, reimagined. This recipe balances tender wilted spinach with fragrant garlic, sweet golden raisins, and the perfect crunch of toasted almonds for a quick and elegant accompaniment.
- Total Time19 minutes
- Yield5 Servings 1x
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 ⅖ tbsp Virgin olive oil
- 1 ½ cloves Garlic (thinly sliced)
- 1 ¾ lb Fresh spinach
- 1 ⅖ oz Golden raisins
- 1 ⅖ oz Slivered almonds
- Pinch of sea salt
- Grated zest of ½ small lemon (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Preparation & Hydration : Thoroughly rinse the fresh spinach under cool running water to remove any grit and place it in a colander to drain completely. In a small bowl, cover the golden raisins with lukewarm water and let them soak for about 8 minutes to rehydrate.
- Toasting the Nuts : Place the slivered almonds in a small, dry skillet over medium heat. Toast for 3-4 minutes, tossing frequently, until they are fragrant and a light golden brown. Immediately remove them from the skillet to a separate plate to halt the cooking process.
- Infusing the Oil : Pour the virgin olive oil into the large sauté pan and set it over medium-low heat. Add the thinly sliced garlic and warm it gently for 2-3 minutes, just until its aroma is released. Avoid browning the garlic to prevent bitterness.
- Wilting the Greens : Add all the drained spinach to the pan with the infused oil. It will seem like a large volume, but it will cook down significantly. Sprinkle with a pinch of sea salt.
- Cooking the Spinach : Using tongs, gently toss the spinach to coat it with the garlic oil. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, for about 9 minutes. The spinach should be fully wilted, and most of the excess water should have evaporated from the pan.
- Final Assembly : Drain the plumped raisins and add them to the cooked spinach, tossing for 1 minute to heat them through. Remove the pan from the heat. Garnish with the toasted almonds and the optional lemon zest just before serving.
Notes
- Storage: Cool any leftovers to room temperature and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Ingredient Swaps: Pine nuts or chopped walnuts are an excellent substitute for slivered almonds. For a different sweet note, try chopped dried apricots instead of raisins.
- Pro Tip: To ensure the spinach sautés rather than steams, make sure it is as dry as possible after rinsing. A salad spinner works wonderfully for this.
Nutrition Facts (per serving): Calories: 166 kcal | Total Fat: 11 g (Saturated Fat: 1 g) | Total Carbs: 14 g (Fiber: 5 g, Sugars: 6 g) | Protein: 7 g | Sodium: 150 mg | Cholesterol: 0 mg | Potassium: 1011 mg
These values are approximate and may vary based on ingredients and preparation.
- Prep Time: 7 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Calories: 166