As one of the official harbingers of spring, rhubarb is on my list of “I’m so excited to be eating what’s growing in my backyard ”. Technically its growing in my neighbour’s backyard……..but, thankfully,  they share it with me. Luckily for everyone concerned this has obliterated the stealth missions in the middle of the night armed with a flashlight.

Super tart and bordering on sour you need a lot of sweetness to make the stalks edible, but never ever try to eat the leaves – they’re toxic.

 Different varieties

Field versus hot house. The stalks of field rhubarb vary from shades of green to deep ruby red depending on the variety, hot house tends to be more pink.

 

How to pick and store

As with all vegetables or fruits that have a stalk look for crisp, firm ones. And like all super models perky counts – look for perky leaves to ensure freshness. If you are picking fresh, pull the stalk from the bottom up to get the entire stalk. Cut off leaves and discard.

To store wrap the stalks in damp paper towels and place in a plastic bag for up to one week in the fridge. Or chop into 1-inch (2.5 cm) pieces and freeze for up to one year.

 

 Nutrition Info

Rhubarb boasts a host of beneficial nutrients, its high in fibre, it also contains vitamin C plus it contains lutein and zeaxanthin for healthy eyes.

 

Weird tip

Have any dingy looking stainless steel pots? According to the Rhubarb Compendium you can use rhubarb to clean them, no elbow grease required. Just boil up some chopped rhubarb with water in a pan and it will come clean. They suggest: An application of rhubarb over the afflicted area will bring back the shine in next to no time. Environmentally friendly too!