Instructions
- Wash the Chard. Wash the chard well.
- Separate Stalks From Leaves. Separate the stalks from the leaves.
- Prepare Boiling and Ice Waters. Bring a pot of water to a boil, and fill a bowl with ice water.
- Place Swiss Chard in Boiling Water.
- Plunge Chard in Ice Water.
- Drain Well.
- Prepare for Freezer.
- Freeze.
How do you store Swiss chard stems?
Wrap the stalks of the chard in a slightly damp paper towel or cloth. Place the chard in an open plastic bag or perforated plastic bag. Store in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator.
What is the best way to preserve Swiss chard?
Remove chard from water and immerse in an ice water bath for 2 minutes. Drain. Pack in zip-closure freezer bags or freezer containers, leaving no headspace. Label, date and freeze at zero degrees for up to one year.
What can you do with the stems of Swiss chard?
Treat them as another vegetable and you have an ingredient for pickles, gratins, and more. Refrigerator pickles: These pickled chard stems are spicy, sweet, acidic, and especially pretty when made with rainbow chard. Gratin: A little extra cooking can turn chard stems tender and sweet.
Can you freeze Swiss chard stems without blanching?
Yes, but it depends on how you want to use it and how quickly. If you plan to use the frozen chard within a few weeks, there is no need to blanch it first. But unblanched chard left in the freezer too long will turn brown because of enzyme actions which will change the texture, flavor, and coloring.
Can Swiss chard stems be frozen?
Place the leaves and stems in separate airtight, freezer-safe bags. Remove any air from the bag to prevent the formation of ice crystals that cause freezer burn. (If you don’t own a vacuum sealer, you can use a straw to suck out the excess air from the bag.) Freezer bags of Swiss chard will keep for at least a year.
Are the stems of Swiss chard good to eat?
What Part of Chard is Edible? Swiss Chard is entirely edible, including the leaves and stems. The stems need a little more cooking time than the leaves because they have a lot of cellulose that needs to soften for longer. The leaves cook quickly.
Can you vacuum seal Swiss chard?
How to Keep Swiss Chard for Longer? Keeping your Swiss chard for a longer time in the freezer can work great if you use a vacuum sealer. These appliances suck out the air from freezer bags and containers and create a perfect seal so whatever you’re storing doesn’t go bad.
What is the healthiest way to eat Swiss chard?
Swiss chard is a leafy green vegetable that is packed with nutrients. It contains an impressive amount of fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that your body needs. You can saute it alone or add it to stews, salads, stir-fries, frittatas, pastas, and more.
Can you dehydrate Swiss chard stems?
At first I thought it was a weird idea. But after thinking about it for a few days it totally made sense. I could dehydrate the chard, store it, and then use it this winter as an extra nutritional boost in soups and stews. Freakin’ genius!
Can I eat Swiss chard stems raw?
It can be eaten raw or cooked. Try adding Swiss chard to your next soup or salad!
What part of the Swiss chard plant is edible?
leaves
Chard is grown for its edible leaves and petioles. Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris L. var. cicla in the Family Chenopodiaceae) is a type of beet that does not produce an edible root.
What happens if you don’t blanch before freezing?
Blanching is a must for most vegetables to be frozen. It slows or stops the enzyme action which can cause loss of flavor, color and texture. The blanching time is very important and varies with the vegetable and size.
How long does chard last in freezer?
How long does Swiss chard last in the freezer? Properly stored, Swiss chard will maintain best quality in the freezer for about 12 months, but will remain safe beyond that time. The freezer time shown is for best quality only – Swiss chard that has been kept constantly frozen at 0°F will keep safe indefinitely.
Does Swiss chard grow back every year?
Chard is a biennial plant, meaning it has a two year life cycle, but it is cultivated as an annual in the vegetable garden and harvested in its first season of growth. Once it begins to flower and set seed in its second year, its leaves turn bitter and unpalatable.
Are chard stems poisonous?
So while many people prefer not to eat the stems of greens like collards, simply removing and discarding them before they cook the greens, you can definitely enjoy eating the stems of Swiss chard leaves.
How many times can you harvest Swiss chard?
Plants can be harvested continually beginning in early spring. A cut-and-come-again crop, new growth is developed at the core of the plant as the outer portions are removed, producing a steady supply of tasty greens. One of the most endearing features of this super green is its tolerance of both heat and cold.
Can you freeze fresh greens without blanching?
Small leaves can be frozen whole. Blanch greens in small quantities: 4 cups packed greens per gallon of boiling water. Start counting blanching time when water returns to boil. If greens are not blanched properly, they will lose their fresh flavor quickly in frozen storage.
Is Swiss chard healthier than spinach?
Significant Scores for Spinach
Spinach comes out on top, compared to Swiss chard, in a number of nutritional components. Among them are calcium, with 1 cup of cooked spinach offering 24 percent DV compared to Swiss chard’s 10 percent.
Which is healthier Swiss chard or kale?
Swiss Chard
And mustard greens holds its own by having the least amount of calories and slightly more protein and calcium than kale. All four types of greens are also rich in many other nutrients, including manganese, folate, copper, choline, magnesium, potassium and vitamins E, K, B2 and B6.
Is Swiss chard healthier cooked or raw?
It is an excellent source of vitamin K, and a good source of vitamin A, magnesium, manganese, and copper. Swiss chard may be more nutritious when cooked.