Yes, you can revive wilted spinach by soaking it in a bowl of ice-cold water for about 15-30 minutes. The cold water helps to rehydrate the spinach leaves and restore their crispness.
Wilted spinach loses its crispness due to water loss. When spinach sits for a while, it dehydrates, causing the cells to become limp. Soaking the spinach in ice-cold water helps to reverse this process through osmosis. The water is absorbed back into the spinach cells, plumping them up and restoring their rigidity. The cold temperature further aids in this process by slowing down enzymatic activity that contributes to wilting and decay. Here's how to do it:
Fill a large bowl with ice-cold water.
Submerge the wilted spinach in the water.
Gently agitate the spinach to ensure all leaves are exposed to the water.
Let the spinach soak for 15-30 minutes, or until it appears crisp again.
Remove the spinach from the water and gently pat it dry with a clean kitchen towel or spin it in a salad spinner.
For extra crispness, add a few ice cubes directly to the water while soaking the spinach. The colder the water, the more effective the rehydration process will be.