Is there a way to prep fresh spinach for refrigerator storage so it will last a little while

Yes. If you are buying it fresh from the farmer's market, do not allow spinach to become overheated, as it starts to decay quickly. 

Once home, store in a plastic bag that contains a dampened paper towel. The key is to not wash the spinach before storage, but do remove any insects or damaged leaves. 

Because spinach is a fresh green, it will not have a long storage life. Plan on using your spinach within three days for the freshest taste and texture. 

 

HTH! 

 

Amy  J

Things I find that help me keep greens longer: 1. Don't buy them from anyplace that sprays them with water every 15 minutes or so, like the grocery store. The water collects in your plastic bag and causes them to rot faster. 2. Leave them in a plastic bag on the refrigerator shelf or in the crisper and leave the bag open, or very loosely closed. This is easier to do with a head of lettuce than with loose leaves of spinach or salad mix. If you leave the bag completely open, the greens near the opening may wilt, but the majority will stay fresh. Loosely closed works better. I'm not really sure why this works. I think it has something to do with moisture levels. But I can keep lettuce fresh for up to a month, and spinach for two-to-three weeks.

The key is to control the amount of water on the leaves. That's why the paper towel around the bundle of spinach works. It absorbs excess water which is what leads to rot. Conversely, loosely wrapping either with a plastic bag or plastic wrap helps keep the spinach from drying out. The other trick is to keep the bundle loose so you don't crush the leaves.