The Godfather: Italian Spinach

The Godfather: Recipe #6

In my quest to find something healthy and non-pasta related in the book, I did stumble across a brief mention of spinach in chapter 18. The scene depicts the mortician Amerigo Bonasera, eating a quick dinner before he is called away by Don Vito Corleone for a favor. He will soon find out that the body on which he is to perform his magic is none other than the Don’s son, Sonny (Santino) Corleone. Sonny has been murdered by the rival five families during the Don’s hiatus due to a gunshot injury, which started the whole “gang war” in the first place.

“After he finished his soup, his wife placed a small steak before him with a few forkfuls of green spinach oozing yellow oil.” - Chapter 18

In lieu of steak, try this spinach alongside any of the delicious pastas I’ve posted in my series of The Godfather recipes (you can view all the recipe links in one place here: https://www.theliteraryvegan.com/home/2020/1/13/the-godfather-by-mario-puzo).

Ingredients:

• 2 Tbsp olive oil

• 6 cloves garlic, minced

• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (+ more to taste)

• 1/4 tsp salt (+ more to taste)

• 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper (+ more to taste)

• 1 lb (large box) fresh baby spinach

• 1/4 cup nutritional yeast

• 1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice

Instructions:

1. In a large pot or skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add garlic, red pepper, salt, and pepper and saute until garlic begins to brown.

2. Add spinach and toss around pot with tongs until coated with oil. Saute until spinach is wilted.

3. Add nutritional yeast and lemon juice and toss well to coat.

4. Serve hot and garnish with extra red pepper flakes, if more heat is desired (for me, this is always).

5. Enjoy!