Spinach Salad with Pears and Cranberries

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For those of us who live in Wisconsin there aren't a lot of fresh locally grown vegetables available at the farmers' market in February and March. One vegetable that is available however is lovely frost sweetened spinach. So what is frost-sweetened spinach you ask? According to Bill Warner of Snug Haven Farms, "Because the winter spinach is continually freezing and thawing, the sugar content in the spinach increases and the spinach becomes incredibly sweet." This spinach is available at the Dane County winter farmers market from Snug Haven Farms as well as a few other farmers.
Its great for spinach salad. This recipe has a nicely tart citrus dressing.
1 ts Finely shredded orange peel
1/4 c Orange juice
1/4 c rice vinegar
1 T. sunflower oil
1/3 c Dried cranberries
1 large Firm-ripe pear or a couple of smaller ones
1 small thinly sliced red onion
1/2 lb spinach leaves, torn in bite-sized pieces
1/4 cup toasted walnuts
Salt & pepper if needed
Combine orange peel, orange juice, rice vinegar, and dried cranberries. Core and thinly slice pears; add pears and onion to dressing. Just before serving, pour over spinach; gently mix. Top with the walnuts.
Adapted from a recipe on Big Oven.com
Note: If Ellen from Future Fruit is at the market, be sure to buy the pears from her. Her pears are certified organic and they grow a number of heirloom varieties.

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