EVER USE RAINBOW CHARD?

Tinkrbl44 · ‎08-23-2010

I'm cooking a butternut squash with ground turkey dish tonight (Roasted Root) and it calls for rainbow chard. I can use spinach as a substitute, but realize I don't think I've ever eaten chard.

Is it bitter like kale? Any tips? Since I have no idea why they call for "rainbow" chard, should I get spinach instead?

Any and all feedback welcome ...... TIA!

PA Mom-mom · ‎05-27-2015

@Tinkrbl44 Regular Swiss chard is pretty widely available at most grocery stores. The leaves are thicker than kale and spinach and require a bit more cooking time. It's not as thick as collard greens.I think it's less bitter than kale. You should probably remove the thicker part of the stems before cooking. Rainbow chard is just a moe gourmet version of chard, but you don't need to use it if you can't find it. Spinach shouldn't be cooked very long at all.

Annabellethecat66 · ‎03-12-2010

Wow! It's nice to come here and learn something new.

I am an OK cook for what I make (which isn't a lot).

I am a very picky eater, so I don't try new things.

Being so novice, it was interesting to hear about 'rainbow chard'.

I'm going to look it up. Being honest, I'll probably never eat it. I really like the name.

When I ask my daughter (who's been everywhere and is an adventurous eater) I can't wait to ask her if she's ever eaten it.

When she asks me where I heard of it, I'll tell her "the QVC ladies talked about it".

Thanks again ladies.

Sooner · ‎03-10-2010

We like chard better than most of the alternatives. Also, if you would enjoy, you can grow it in flower beds or big pots, picking the outer leaves and others will come from the middle.

It's very attractive to have bunches of it, especially the rainbow variety. We buy chard a lot!

Tinkrbl44 · ‎08-23-2010

Well, to give you all an update, lol, I saw shelving in Produce for green chard, rainbow chard and red chard. No rainbow, so I went with the green. I was also going to get spinach as my Plan B, but I forgot.

Junker2327 · ‎03-11-2010

I use Rainbow chard in my green drinks when I can get it and regular chard the rest of the time. I dont care for Kale at all.

Beckyblu

PINKdogWOOD · ‎05-13-2010

Rainbow chard - love it, grew it, ate it, bought it. It is delightful and good for you, leaves stems, all.

wagirl · ‎03-09-2010

Yes, I grew it in pots a few years ago, and combine with kale and spinach for a side dish----also put it and the other greens in my smoothies too--mostly I chop it up and freeze it for that.

Tinkrbl44 · ‎08-23-2010

@PINKdogWOOD wrote:
Rainbow chard - love it, grew it, ate it, bought it. It is delightful and good for you, leaves stems, all.

@PINKdogWOOD

Wow. I'd like to think I'm pretty knowledgeable about the health benefits of various vegetables, but this one almost totally escaped my notice. I think I've eaten something with swiss chard in it, but none of the others.

I guess I assumed it was another of the tough and bitter greens like mustard and kale. Can't wait to see how this turns out.

Tinkrbl44 · ‎08-23-2010

@wagirl wrote:
Yes, I grew it in pots a few years ago, and combine with kale and spinach for a side dish----also put it and the other greens in my smoothies too--mostly I chop it up and freeze it for that.

@wagirl

Good idea. I used the amount given in the recipe, and it didn't seem like enough. Will use more next time.