Spring
Brings Rhubarb
Rhubarb is a perennial vegetable, though it is generally used as a fruit in
desserts and jams. You only eat the stalks, which have a rich tart flavor. The
leaves of this plant are poisonous, so be sure that they are not ingested. Rhubarb
is easy to grow, but needs cool weather to thrive.
Here are some tips for harvesting rhubarb. 
·
Harvest the
stalks when they are 12 to 18 inches long. Usually after 3 years, the harvest
period runs 8 to 10 weeks long. If the stalks become thin, stop harvesting;
this means the plant's food reserves are low.
·
Grab the
base of the stalk and pull it away from the plant with a gentle twist. If this
doesn't work, you can cut the stalk at the base. Be sure the discard of the
leaves!
·
Field-grown rhubarb's peak season is April and
May and it is available through the early summer. Hot-house rhubarb is generally
available January through June
·
You may have
a bountiful harvest for up to 20 years without having to replace your rhubarb
plants.
After harvest time, the stems
may die back. Just remove all plant debris. Once your ground freezes, it's best
to cover rhubarb with 2 to 4 inches of mulch, preferably well-rotted compost;
by adding nitrogen to the soil, you're preparing the rhubarb plants for a good
spring season.
Rhubarb can be eaten raw but because of its tartness, it is
generally cooked and sweetened first. It can be sweetened with sugar, honey,
syrup, or berry preserves. When cooking rhubarb do not use aluminum, iron or
copper pans. Rhubarb has high acidity and will react with these types of
metals. The reaction will cause the rhubarb to turn a brownish color and can
cause the pan to discolor. It is best to use anodized aluminum, non-stick
coated aluminum, or enameled cast iron pans. If the rhubarb is being baked,
glass bakeware can be used also.
Rhubarb can be eaten raw with a little sugar sprinkled over
it but it is generally cooked with other ingredients to produce a fruit dish of
some type. Rhubarb can be used nicely to enhance the flavor of other fruits, such
as pairing it with strawberries in baked sauces or beverages. It makes a
delicious pie filling and is also used to make sauce in the same manner as
applesauce. Rhubarb can also be used to make jellies, jams, cakes, muffins, and
other desserts. It can also be used in savory dishes and is good as a sauce to
serve with meats and fish.
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