growing, eating New Zealand Spinach

First time New Zealand Spinach gardener here. I have read that the leaves have to be cooked before eating them. Any cooking advice from others that are growing this plant?

I usually eat them raw in salads.

I've usually briefly cooked it....it makes a bland tender green much like "ordinary" spinach. When a plant get some size I pick off entire tips....this frequent pruning encourages bushy growth....

Has anyone added New Zealand Spinach to quiches or lasagnas?
I will be growing New Zealand Spinach and Malabar Spinach this year for the first time. I am trying to grow more leafy greens in my garden.

FYI - My NZ has been thriving in a container. So much so that I am starting more seeds this week. I have read that they can be invasive so I will only use them as container plants.

Rion Mather wrote:FYI - My NZ has been thriving in a container. So much so that I am starting more seeds this week. I have read that they can be invasive so I will only use them as container plants.

It's funny, that was my plan. I got a bunch of 6.5 gallon buckets, I will be drilling holes in them and filling them up with soil. Can you elaborate on growing NZ spinach in containers for me? Thanks!

Steve Flanagan wrote:

Rion Mather wrote:FYI - My NZ has been thriving in a container. So much so that I am starting more seeds this week. I have read that they can be invasive so I will only use them as container plants.

It's funny, that was my plan. I got a bunch of 6.5 gallon buckets, I will be drilling holes in them and filling them up with soil. Can you elaborate on growing NZ spinach in containers for me? Thanks!

Super simple. I am growing mine in 2.5 gallon buckets. I can see why they are considered invasive because it grows like a weed. As far as the taste, I do prefer the leaves cooked slightly. An excellent plant for growing indoors.

Reviving this thread to ask if anyone knows what the hardiness of New Zealand spinach is. What zone is it perennial to? I'd love to have perennial "spinach," but I can't seem to find out how if it will survive the winter in my zone (7b/8a).

Thanks!

Does anyone know if you can eat the stems?

Nicole, sorry I didn't see this before!
It is not frost hardy. Will do okay in winter but a hard frost will knock it off. In 9B I've had it survive our mild frosts but I think probably 8 is the minimum it will survive (unless you can put it in a protected place). It does come back every year pretty easily though.

I used to chop the stems and leaves after boiling and put the whole mess inside things (shepherd's pie, croquettes, etc). I find they're too hairy (and too much oxalic acid) to eat raw, but I guess that depends on personal preference!