Let’s get crunchy! When the idea for a link up of croutons came up, I was ready to think outside the square. Maybe there is a way I can turn vegetables into croutons. Whether you add croutons to soup or salad you get an added does of veggies and nutrients.
So I turned to spinach, if it works for Popeye it works for me! I always have frozen spinach in my freezer and it is versatile enough that you can use it in so many recipes — from scrambled eggs or omelets for breakfast to improving a cheese quesadilla or pizza at dinner.
I sautéed the spinach and added a little garlic flavor after squeezing out all the excess water, I mixed some finely ground almonds I had left from Passover, spread it on small pan and baked it for a long time. Cut it into squares and voila!!! The best croutons I have ever made and my family couldn’t get enough of them!
They were delicious in a salad and brought some wonderful color contrast and crunch to my carrot ginger soup. You could really use them in anything or enjoy them straight up! They still have 60 calories per serving but by baking instead of frying and taking advantage of the spinach, they’re infinitely better for you than store bought croutons. Bitayavon!
Click here for the full recipe for Almond Spinach Croutons.
Awesomeness. Inspiring.
How cool is this?! One of the things I dont like about cooked spinach is that it is so wet. Perhaps I would like spinach better this way!
Be warned they are addictive, and while they are healthy, they still have calories. 🙂
Yes, they become almost like a cracker, but you have let them cook the full amount of time. I tried it a second time real fast and tried to cut the time and it did not work.
Good question, so far I have made small batches and they go so fast I haven’t been able to find out. Maybe they would stay better in the freezer.
This is a brilliant idea and soooo much healthier than a bread crouton! I want to make these and just eat them as a snack without the soup or salad 🙂
Great idea! much healthier version!
How innovative. I love that these are kosher for passover! Are they really crunchy?
Genius!! What a great idea, Tamar! And it solves the problem of the eternal bag of spinach in the freezer…
these look amazing!
I love this! I sometimes miss that crunch in my salad and now I can have these instead! How long do you think a batch would stay good?
I love that you create a gluten free crouton! Fantastic!
Do you have to wash on croutons when they are not the star ingredient in a salad? Had no idea!
Oh T – I love this!!! Now I can enjoy my croutons without having to wash!
How perfect for mostly carb-free folks like me!