Seasons/Availability
Green Swiss chard is available year round.
Current Facts
A yellow variety was developed the same time as the green chard, but is not as popular as the red and green types.
Description/Taste
Aesthetically pleasing to the eye and equally pleasing to the taste buds, Swiss chard leaves grow on a pale whitish-green stalk. Shiny and dark green, the good-looking crinkly green leaves offer a taste that lies somewhere between asparagus and celery with possibly a hint of beet. Botanically a beet, the root itself is inedible as this green has been developed for its very tasty leaves.
Nutritional Value
Low in calories, one cup cooked chard contains about 35 calories. An excellent source of vitamin A, potassium, and iron, it is a good source of vitamin C, calcium, and fiber. High in sodium, one cup has 315 mg. Eating five daily servings of fruits and vegetables lowers the chances of cancer. A recent study found that eating nine or ten daily servings of fruits and vegetables, combined with three servings of low-fat dairy products, were effective in lowering blood pressure.
Applications
Delicious steamed, shallots, leeks and onions pair well. Thinly sliced stems and leaves liven up soups and stews; add during the final moments of cooking. Briefly sauté in olive oil; add pine nuts for a crunchy bite. Complementary seasonings include fresh sweet basil, nutmeg, oregano and garlic. Add pureed greens to give flavor to pasta dough. To prepare, wash thoroughly. To store, wash leaves well, shaking off most of the moisture. Place between paper towels; wrap in perforated plastic; refrigerate. Use within two to five days. Stalks separated from the leaves keep a few days longer. Swiss chard freezes well.
Geography/History
A hardy perennial, chard likes the sun's rays but will tolerate partial shade. Not real fussy about soil conditions, it does best in well-drained loamy areas. Preferring a cool climate, chard is more heat-tolerant than spinach and produces continually throughout the summer. At their most tender and succulent stage, the leaves are harvested when they reach eight to ten inches tall.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
Featured Recipes
Recipes that include Swiss Chard. One
is easiest, three is harder.
