Late spring and early summer is swiss chard season! This leafy vegetable with its colorful stems is a popular side dish and is frequently used in stir-fries, soups, salads, and casseroles.
What is Swiss Chard?
Swiss chard is a delicious leafy green and both the stalks and leaves are edible. Other Names Swiss chard is also sometimes just called chard and comes in a variety of colors. If sold by a bunch with various colors, it is referred to as rainbow chard but they are all the same ingredient. We love swiss chard because it is a super versatile addition to stir-fries and soups, but it also stands up well on its own! Packed with vitamins K, A, C, and E, Swiss chard is a great source of minerals and an excellent source of fiber.
Flavor
Swiss chard has a mild and slightly earthy flavor. It has a very slight a bitter note as well. The leaves are broad, brightly colored, and will shrink like spinach does when it cooks down. Even the stems are edible and delicious! Add To This yummy green can be served on its own or added to other recipes. Substitute it where you would normally add spinach or kale (allowing extra time for it to cook). Its great in:
Easy Homemade Lasagna White Bean Soup or Zuppa Toscana Add it to salads or slaws It pairs well with sausage and it perfect in creamy pastas
To Prepare
Wash the chard and separate the leafy portion from the thick stem. Keep the stem and leaves separate for cooking. Chop the stem into smaller pieces. Chop the leaves into pieces keeping in mind it will shrink down (like cooked spinach does).
Like spinach, the leaves can be eaten raw or cooked, and they will shrink considerably as they are being cooked.
How to Cook Swiss Chard
If you can sautee spinach or kale, chard is every bit as easy!
Tips for Success
For best results, choose leaves that are uniform in size, plump, bright, and clean-smelling. Store fresh Swiss chard loosely wrapped in paper towels in the vegetable crisper. After washing Swiss chard, pat the leaves dry before sauteing them. Chard can be a bit bitter, be sure to generously season for the best flavor.
More Great Greens
Collard Greens Garlic Bacon Kale Recipe Creamed Spinach Crispy Kale Chips Easy Kale Salad with Fresh Lemon Dressing Garlic Butter Kale Rice Creamed Swiss Chard
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