ISO help for cleaning Fresh Spinach!!

[debg]

Hi yall! You guys never cease to amaze me with your awesome recipes and great ideas. Am planning to make the foccaica (spelling?) sandwich with fresh spinach and feta cheese for my in-laws this weekend. We're tripling the recipe and it calls for like 14 cups of fresh spinach! Cleaning fresh spinach is SUCH a process...was wondering if anyone else out there had some great ideas to help the process go easier and quicker??? (I usually stand at the sink cleaning every single leaf with running water - UGH!). Any ideas will be much appreciated!!!

[mlou]

I usually clean 2 or three bunches at a time by putting them in a full sink of water. Let them float and shake them around a little. Most of the dirt will fall off and sink to the bottom. Then I have the other sink full and repeat the process. Then just pick them out and place in your pot or salad spinner.

[Marcie]

It's more expensive, but I always buy the bagged, prewashed spinach now. Washing spinach and lettuce is one of my least favorite kitchen chores.

But if I have to do it, mlou's suggestion is the way to go.

[LGBurns]

I always buy the bagged spinach now too. Especially since my dietician sister told me the bagged spinach is better for you (I think it has to do with it being processed right on site and therefore losing less nutrients). That's also true, surprisingly, for frozen vegies. They're actually healthier than fresh (unless, of coarse, you're picking the fresh from your garden or buying them at a farmers market where they probably were picked the day before). Apparently, vegetables begin to lose nutrients as they sit and the nutrients are locked in when the vegies are frozen. Sorry, a bit of a tangent but I thought you might be interested.