If you’ve never had the chance to enjoy the taste of fresh rhubarb, then you’re missing out. Rhubarb is technically a vegetable even though its taste resembles that of a fruit. In addition to the deliciousness, this vegetable is also a very versatile tool in the art of culinary. From pies to cakes to dried snacks and more, rhubarb can be enjoyed in several ways.
What is rhubarb?
Before we tackle the question, “what does rhubarb taste like,” you should really have a good understand of what this plant is. Rhubarb is a vegetable that’s grown in gardens here in America and in Europe too. This sweet-tasting vegetable is native of China and is has been used by the Chinese as a form of medicine for several thousands of years. In fact, rhubarb is used to help promote weight loss, healthy skin, proper digestion, and good mental health. These are just a few of the medical conditions rhubarb can be used for.
In addition to the culinary and medical benefits of rhubarb, there are several nutritional benefits to this vegetable as well. Rhubarb is high in fiber, it’s a quality source of vitamin K, and it’s also high in calcium. Not only is rhubarb extremely tasty, it’s also very beneficial to your health and your overall wellbeing.
What does rhubarb taste like, and how would you describe rhubarb flavor?
So, what does rhubarb taste like? What kind of a flavor is it? Many people believe that the taste of rhubarb is quite similar to that of a sour apple, sweet in flavor. Others on the other hand believe the taste is more like fresh celery but with a tangier flavor. However you feel, one thing is for sure. Rhubarb is one delicious vegetable.
How do you to trim and cut rhubarb?
Trimming and cutting rhubarb is not hard if you know what to do. You’ll want to start by trimming the leaves off of the stalk with a sharp knife. It’s important to note that you should never eat the leaves, and it’s best to throw them out right way. Some rhubarb leaves are poisonous and can cause sickness. Once the leaves have been removed, you’ll then want to trim the ends of the stalk. This is very similar to trimming celery.
You’ll now want to equip yourself with a pairing knife and remove the outer strands. The outer strands are tough and can decrease the consistency of the rhubarb when cooked. After the strands have been trimmed off, you can now cut the stalk into 1 to 1 ½ inch chunks or as directed by your recipe. Now that you have properly prepared your rhubarb, you can start cooking.
What are the culinary uses of rhubarb?
Rhubarb has a wide array of culinary uses. In fact, there’s 5 great ways to eat this food. These 5 culinary tips will add a little bit of excitement to your family dinners and provide you all the nutritional benefits that this tasty vegetable has to offer.
Dried Rhubarb
Although the process of drying your rhubarb out can take quite a lot of time, it’s definitely worth it. To do this, start by boiling some water and then add your rhubarb. While you let it boil, add one cinnamon stick and a couple pinches of sugar. This mixture will then turn into an applesauce-like form.
Once in this form, lay parchment paper on all of the trays and place the mixture on all of the dehydrating trays. You’ll now want to cook the rhubarb for 9 hours at a temperature of 135°F. The great thing about dried rhubarb is that it’s portable, it not messy, and it’s an easy snack that can fit in your purse or pocket.
Rhubarb Sauce
If you love chutneys and salsas, then you’ll more than likely love the taste of rhubarb sauce. Rhubarb sauce adds that special zing in these two dishes and is a fantastic addition for several other dishes including pork chops, duck, roasted chicken, salmon, trout, and even turkey.
To make rhubarb sauce, you simply cook rhubarb in a pot with orange juice, brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, and then sprinkled with dates. For salsa, you’ll want to mix your rhubarb with chopped jalapenos, cilantro, olive oil, fresh strawberries, and lime juice. Once complete, use tortilla chips to enjoy this zesty dip.
Pureed rhubarb
Do you like margaritas? Pureed rhubarb is one of the main ingredient in these popular drinks. It’s what give the margarita its tardiness. Pureed rhubarb is also one of the main ingredients in rhubarb jam. To make rhubarb jam, simply cut it into small slices and cook it on a pan with a couple tablespoons of water. Once it has cooled, mix in champagne or prosecco. It’s fantastic on fresh bread.
Roasted rhubarb
Roasted rhubarb is not only delicious, it’s also fairly easy to make, and it’s not messy either. To roast rhubarb, start by chopping the stalks into small pieces. These pieces should be no large than ½ inch. Once you grease the plan and preheat the oven for at least 15 minutes, you will then lay the rhubarb in the pan and slowly sprinkle sugar on top of the pieces. You’ll now want to roast them for a period of 20 to 25 minutes.
Raw Rhubarb
The easiest way to eat rhubarb is raw and with a bowl of sugar, honey, or another kind of condiment. Another fantastic way to eat raw rhubarb is to cut it into smaller pieces and use it as a topping for your cereal, yogurt, ice cream, or even a fruit salad.
However you like your rhubarb, just remember to fully wash it before you decide to cook it, roast it, dry it, or even eat it raw. This will remove the bacteria and ensure that you stay healthy. This is especially true if you buy rhubarb from the grocery store or farmer’s market. Fruits and vegetables sold at these locations have already been touched my multiple hands.
Growing rhubarb
Now that you know what rhubarb tastes like and the different ways in which you can eat it, you really should know how to properly grow it. To properly grow rhubarb, you’ll first need to find the right location to grow this vegetable. Rhubarb grows best in the sun, so choose an area of your yard that receives lots of rays. In fact, areas of the world where the weather gets colder than 40 degrees in the winter and reaches a maximum temperature of 75 degrees in the summertime grow the best tasting rhubarb.
Once you find the right spot to plant your rhubarb, you’ll then want to remove any weeds in that area and then dig a big, deep hole. From here, you’ll plant your seeds and add rich compost, quality manure, and any other organic materials you think are necessary. By doing this, you’ll give your plants the right nutrients to prosper. Many gardeners also say that you should refrain from adding fertilizer for the first year.
Once you have your rhubarb planted, then you’ll just need to make sure you water it regularly and add some rich compost on an annual basis. After a year, your plants should be about a foot tall and ready to be enjoyed. When you do pick your rhubarb, make sure you pull it out of the ground from the base of the stalk.
- Using Borax in the Dishwasher - May 27, 2020
- Towel Ring Height and Other Fixtures: Proper Measurements - May 1, 2020
- Homemade Paint Removers for Every Surface - April 27, 2020