By Brierley Wright [2], May 9, 2011 - 11:40am
When it comes to produce, there’s an oft-overlooked but funny-named spring favorite—usually matched with fruit in sweets even though it’s actually a vegetable—that you shouldn’t miss. What is it? Drumroll, please...
Rhubarb!
Rhubarb was love at first bite for me. The first time I baked a strawberry-and-rhubarb dessert it was for the plump, sweet strawberries. But when I took a bite I was unexpectedly smitten with the intensely tart and tender rhubarb—so much so that I forgot about the strawberries.
Recipes to Try:
Get the Strawberry-and-Rhubarb Dessert I Made Here, plus More Delicious, Healthy Spring Dessert Recipes [6]
Now, when rhubarb is in season (from April to September), I fanatically stockpile pounds of the crimson celery-like stalks in my freezer. I usually track it down at the farmers’ market. But if you’re lucky, like my mother-in-law, you may find it growing in your backyard. (If you pick your own, don’t eat the leafy greens on top—they’re toxic.)
Don’t Miss:
5 Spring Vegetables to Put on Your Grocery List Right Now [7]
12 Fruits and Vegetables You Should Buy Organic [8]
Are Frozen Fruits and Vegetables Just As Good for You As Fresh? [9]
Rhubarb stalker aside, the nutritionist in me can’t help but love rhubarb’s nutrition boons, too: its red-pink color comes from anthocyanins, antioxidants believed to keep your heart healthy and brain sharp. A cup of fresh, chopped rhubarb delivers healthy doses of vitamin C, potassium and bone-healthy vitamin K, for just 26 calories.
Related: Can Vitamin C Save Your Skin? [10]
This year I’m going to diversify beyond desserts. I'll add rhubarb to my breakfast like in the subtly sweet Oatmeal-Rhubarb Porridge. For lunch or dinner I'll make Roasted Rhubarb Salad, where lightly sweetened rhubarb brightens up leafy greens. Be careful trying these recipes: you, too, may catch the rhubarb fevah!
Recipes to Try: Find the recipes for Oatmeal-Rhubarb Porridge, Roasted Rhubarb Porridge and more here. [11]
Related Links from EatingWell:
TAGS: Brierley Wright [2], Food Blog [16], Breakfast [17], Dessert [18], Dinner [19], Lunch [20], What's in season [21]
Brierley's interest in nutrition and food come together in her position as nutrition editor at EatingWell. Brierley holds a master’s degree in Nutrition Communication from the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University. A Registered Dietitian, she completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Vermont.
Links:
[1] http://www.eatingwell.com/eatingwell_rss_feeds
[2] http://www.eatingwell.com/blogs/brierley-wright
[3] http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php
[4] http://www.eatingwell.com/blogs/food_blog/the_one_spring_vegetable_you_re_not_cooking_but_should
[5] http://www.eatingwell.com/blogs/food_blog/the_one_spring_vegetable_you_re_not_cooking_but_should?section=comments#tabs
[6] http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes_menus/recipe_slideshows/healthy_spring_dessert_recipes
[7] http://www.eatingwell.com/blogs/healthy_cooking/_5-spring-vegetables-put-grocery-list-right-now
[8] http://www.eatingwell.com/food_news_origins/organic_natural/12_foods_you_should_buy_organic
[9] http://www.eatingwell.com/nutrition_health/nutrition_news_information/fresh_vs_frozen_vegetables_are_we_giving_up_nutrition_fo
[10] http://www.eatingwell.com/nutrition_health/healthy_aging/can_vitamin_c_save_your_skin
[11] http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes_menus/recipe_slideshows/healthy_recipes_for_rhubarb
[12] http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes_menus/recipe_slideshows/quick_and_easy_fresh_fruit_desserts
[13] http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes_menus/recipe_slideshows/our_top_ten_most_popular_spring_recipes
[14] http://www.eatingwell.com/healthy_cooking/healthy_cooking_101/shopping_cooking_guides/guide_to_cooking_20_vegetables
[15] http://www.eatingwell.com/subscribe_to_our_free_newsletters
[16] http://www.eatingwell.com/category/blog_topics/food_blog
[17] http://www.eatingwell.com/category/blog_tags/breakfast
[18] http://www.eatingwell.com/category/blog_tags/dessert
[19] http://www.eatingwell.com/category/blog_tags/dinner
[20] http://www.eatingwell.com/category/blog_tags/lunch
[21] http://www.eatingwell.com/category/blog_tags/whats_in_season_
[22] http://www.eatingwell.com/blogs/food_blog/healthy_spring_salad_recipe_with_fresh_peas_and_crispy_fried_shallots
[23] http://www.eatingwell.com/node/277219?section=comments#tabs
[24] http://www.eatingwell.com/blogs/food_blog/vegetarian_thai_red_curry
[25] http://www.eatingwell.com/node/276919?section=comments#tabs
[26] http://www.eatingwell.com/blogs/food_blog/how_to_make_cream_sauce_without_cream
[27] http://www.eatingwell.com/node/276908?section=comments#tabs
[28] http://www.eatingwell.com/blogs/food_blog/3_diy_tortilla_tricks_how_to_make_your_own_taco_shells_taco_bowls_and_tortilla_chips
[29] http://www.eatingwell.com/node/276907?section=comments#tabs
[30] http://www.eatingwell.com/blogs/food_blog/30_minute_chicken_caesar_salad_wrap_on_the_grill
[31] http://www.eatingwell.com/node/276875?section=comments#tabs
[32] http://www.eatingwell.com/user
[33] http://www.eatingwell.com/print/17282
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