The Accidental Hedonist's Guide to:




My Book



99 Drams of Whiskey:The Accidental Hedonist's Quest for the Perfect Shot and the History of the Drink


Communication

Poll

Would you support a soda tax if the revenue went to improving our health care system?

View Results

-->

Rhubarb Tips and Hints

06/02/08, by Kate Hopkins Email 1422 views • Categories: Rhubarb
  • Rhubarb season typically runs between April and May, with cooler climates extended their seasons as long as into July, depending upon the weather.
  • If you see Rhubarb later or earlier in the year, it's likely hothouse grown.
  • Look for crisp stalks, firm and without blemishes or cuts.
  • Leaves attached to the stalk should be fresh looking, not wilted or limp.
  • Field grown rhubarb typically has a bright red color. Hot house grown rhubarb typically has a pale pink color.
  • The brighter the red color, the more pronounced and sweeter the flavor.
  • Younger and thinner rhubarb is typically sweeter and less tart.
  • Stalks can be kept in the refrigerator in a plastic bag for three days. Cut stalks can be stored in the refrigerator in ziplock bags up to three months.
  • Sliced rhubarb can be frozen up to nine months.
  • Fibers from the stalk should be removed, via a peeler.
  • Rhubarb leaves are mildly toxic and should be discarded.
  • Rhubarb should be cooked in non-aluminum pan, as it may react with the metal.
  • Cooking rhubarb in orange juice will reduce the rhubarbs acidity.
  • 1 lb of rhubarb = 3 cups chopped = 2 cups cooked

Comments, Pingbacks:

Comment from: Andrea [Visitor] Email · http://andreayaya.typepad.com/rookie_cookery/
I love it when you post informative stuff like this. Thanks.
PermalinkPermalink 06/02/08 @ 09:23
Comment from: ketherian [Visitor] Email
Great tips.
Here's a few more:
* Rhubarb is a great source of vitamin C and calcium.
* To make stewed rhubarb taste sweeter without adding sugar, try mixing 3 parts rhubarb with 1 part field berries.

To learn everything you never wanted to know about recipes (and a few good recipes), check out: http://www.rhubarbinfo.com/
PermalinkPermalink 06/02/08 @ 10:06
Comment from: TerryC [Visitor] Email
I disagree with the note about removing the "fibers". If you take a peeler to a stalk of rhubarb you will remove the skin, which is the source of a great deal of the flavor, and ruin the rhubarb. Rhubarb is always eaten cooked and I have never noticed the fibers being a problem. Also, the word "sweeter" applied to rhubarb is a little misleading. Rhubarb has virtually no sweetness to it at all, which is why it is always cooked with a sweetener.
PermalinkPermalink 06/05/08 @ 11:35
Comment from: DougF [Visitor]
I used to eat rhubarb raw when I was a kid, dipping it into a bowl of sugar as I ate.

I've never had to peel rhubarb.
PermalinkPermalink 06/18/08 @ 21:25
Comment from: Judy [Visitor] Email
Someone gave us some rhubarb from their garden but it is green. Other than the obvious, what is the difference in it from the red stalks. Is it used in recipes just like the red rhubarb or does it need more sugar?
PermalinkPermalink 07/26/08 @ 10:11

Leave a comment:

Your email address will not be displayed on this site.
Your URL will be displayed.

Allowed XHTML tags: <p, ul, ol, li, dl, dt, dd, address, blockquote, ins, del, span, bdo, br, em, strong, dfn, code, samp, kdb, var, cite, abbr, acronym, q, sub, sup, tt, i, b, big, small>
(Line breaks become <br />)
(Set cookies for name, email and url)
(Allow users to contact you through a message form (your email will NOT be displayed.))
What color is a red balloon?