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Sunday, June 3, 2007

What do I do with all of this Swiss Chard?

I noticed yesterday that a lot of people skipped their Swiss Chard while picking up their CSA. If you can't eat the chard right away, you can freeze it and use it later.

From the University of Illinois Extension website:

Chard leaves freeze well after blanching, but the stems become soggy and rather unappealing. Canned chard does not fare as well producing a product similar to canned spinach.

To freeze:

  1. Prepare a sink of cold water. Rinse chard through several changes of water lifting leaves out leaving sand and soil behind. Then separate the stems from the leaves.
  2. Bring 4 quarts of water to a rolling boil. Drop about one pound of whole leaves in boiling water, cover and blanch for 2 minutes (blanch stems for 3 minutes).
  3. Remove chard from water and immerse in an ice water bath for 2 minutes. Drain.
  4. Pack in zip-closure freezer bags or freezer containers, leaving no headspace. Label, date and freeze at zero degrees for up to one year.
- Rob

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Does anyone have a recipe for cooking Swiss Chard or Kale?

Anonymous said...

I added the Kale to boiling water for about 6 minutes. While it is boiling heat up a skillet with olive oil and garlic powder. Drain Add the kale to the skillet for one minute continually stirring. Drain. Add red pepper flakes and about 1/3 cup of grated parmesean cheese. I have not tried it with Chard, yet. The kale tasted great.

Lydia said...

I sometimes just saute in some oil with garlic, salt and pepper and skip the parboiling. Sometimes I lower the heat after a couple minutes and put on a lid and let the steam finish cooking it. (boiling water takes too long [grin])