Rhubarb!

What is Rhubarb?

Rhubarb is a perennial which means it comes up every year. Its stalks are sour, crunchy, and juicy which make delicious jams, desserts, drinks and wines, and can even be used in savory dishes. It is considered a fruit by the FDA but in reality, it is a vegetable. Rhubarb pops it’s leaves out in the spring. In Minnesota, they usually make their appearance in April and May.

How and When to Harvest

To harvest rhubarb, pull out the stalks and remove the bottom portion (about one inch) and the upper leaf. The leaves and roots contain oxalic acid in high amounts and if eaten could cause health issues. The best time to harvest would be in the spring. I have harvested in the summer but only when we have had sufficient moisture. Oxalic acid is higher in the stalks in the summer so that is something to be aware of. Harvesting past June may not be wise.

Is Rhubarb Healthy?

Rhubarb is a good source of fiber and antioxidants. However, since it is quite sour, it is mostly used in desserts and jams.

How I use Rhubarb

I usually make rhubarb into a delicious dessert or eat it plain. I have frozen rhubarb to be used at a later date. To freeze rhubarb, is extremely easy. The stalks can be frozen by washing them and chopping them into smaller pieces or left as is. I find chopping is better for me.

Some of my children when they were young would run down to the rhubarb plant pick a stalk and eat it like candy. I have heard that it is a great alternative to constipation medications. Luckily, I don’t remember having issues with my children since they liked eating it in its raw form.

It isn’t recommended to eat rhubarb in the hot summer months, however, I have harvested rhubarb in the summer when the rains have been plentiful. To keep rhubarb productive, I pull out the seed stalks, otherwise, the stalks become hard and inedible.

There are several recipes to be found which use this sour vegetable. I still need to try it as an ingredient for a savory dish. Maybe that will be what I try next. Until then, may your rhubarb dishes be delectable!