"The one spring vegetable you’re not cooking, but should"

StaceyL76

This came across my email and I thought it was interesting. I have only made rhubarb crisp, nothing else with rhubarb.

The one spring vegetable you’re not cooking, but should
Posted by Brierley Wright-Nutrition Editor at 5/9/2011 1:21 PM EDT off of Eatingwell.com

When it comes to produce, there’s an oft-overlooked but funny-named spring favorite—usually matched with fruit in sweets even though it’s actually a vegetable—that you shouldn’t miss. What is it? Drumroll, please...

Rhubarb!






Rhubarb was love at first bite for me. The first time I baked a strawberry-and-rhubarb dessert it was for the plump, sweet strawberries. But when I took a bite I was unexpectedly smitten with the intensely tart and tender rhubarb—so much so that I forgot about the strawberries.

Recipes to Try:
Get the Strawberry-and-Rhubarb Dessert I Made Here, plus More Delicious, Healthy Spring Dessert Recipes

Now, when rhubarb is in season (from April to September), I fanatically stockpile pounds of the crimson celery-like stalks in my freezer. I usually track it down at the farmers’ market. But if you’re lucky, like my mother-in-law, you may find it growing in your backyard. (If you pick your own, don’t eat the leafy greens on top—they’re toxic.)

Rhubarb stalker aside, the nutritionist in me can’t help but love rhubarb’s nutrition boons, too: its red-pink color comes from anthocyanins, antioxidants believed to keep your heart healthy and brain sharp. A cup of fresh, chopped rhubarb delivers healthy doses of vitamin C, potassium and bone-healthy vitamin K, for just 26 calories.

This year I’m going to diversify beyond desserts. I'll add rhubarb to my breakfast like in the subtly sweet Oatmeal-Rhubarb Porridge. For lunch or dinner I'll make Roasted Rhubarb Salad, where lightly sweetened rhubarb brightens up leafy greens. Be careful trying these recipes: you, too, may catch the rhubarb fevah!

Recipes to Try: Find the recipes for Oatmeal-Rhubarb Porridge, Roasted Rhubarb Porridge and more here.

What's your favorite thing to cook with rhubarb?

By Brierley Wright, M.S., R.D.

http://www.eatingwell.com/blogs/recipes/_one-spring-vegetable-not-cooking-but-should

Atleast40

Thanks

monoxidechick

I have never really cooked with rhubarb and was actually thinking about it the other day and how my Grams used to have it growing in our backyard when I was younger. She made a few pies and cakes out of it, but I dont remember anything else being made. I will have to look into some of these recipes!

Thanks

RoadDog

I have three plants growing in my garden. My wife makes Rhubarb/Apple Crisp with them. I need to find out something else to make, because the plants yield far more rhubarb than we can currently consume. I've toyed with the idea of investigating making some type of rhubarb brandy.

JenniferH81

I have a ton of rhubarb growing, I hate the stuff. I keep trying to get rid of it, but it keeps coming back!

StaciO

OMG I love rhubarb! My parents have it growing in their side yard. I love rhubarb pie (not mixed with any other fruit) and rhubarb upside down cake (I'll have to get the recipe from my mom) The only down side for me is that it gives me heartburn something fierce. I just preceed eating it with some tums. LOL

CakeFit21

Just today I came across a recipe for Indian-Spiced Lentils with Spinach and Rhubarb in my Vegetarian Times Magazine. It sounds absolutely delicious. The recipe isn't on the website though, maybe because it's in the current issue

MzBug

My grandpa used to make rubarb wine! Ohhhh it was good! After he passed away, we were cleaning out the house and we found 8 jars of wine in the basement. At that point it was at least 20 years old. We did open it, but didn't drink it. Lots of memories passed around about that wine and the special occasions it was consumed.

StaceyL76

Awesome! I am going to make something with it.. outside of a treats. I wish I had some growing in my yard!

beckyinma

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

sceck

Strawberry rhubarb pie. I make it every year this time. We lost the rhubarb plant this past winter and the strawberries aren't quite ripe yet. But we have our strawberry, soft crab fest planned. So, I bought strawberries for the pie, and then had to search out the rhubarb in the groceries. Finally, Harris Teeter. Truly miss the rhubarb plant!