SWISS CHARD — FRESH, RAW
The precise answer to that question depends to a large extent on storage conditions – after purchasing, keep Swiss chard refrigerated at all times . To maximize the shelf life of Swiss chard, refrigerate in plastic bag and do not wash until ready to eat.
Should you wash chard before storing?
Some people wash the Swiss chard before storing it in the refrigerator. However, it might be best to clean Swiss chard right before you plan to cook it . This keeps any excess moisture from accumulating on the leaves, which can lead to wilting and mold. Keep refrigerated for a week.
How do you store fresh picked Swiss chard?
Wrap chard loosely in a damp paper towel and store in an unsealed plastic bag in the crisper . It will keep well for a few days up to a week.
What is the best way to freeze Swiss chard?
- Squeeze excess water out of the chard (I squeeze portions in my hand over the strainer).
- Transfer to a baking sheet lined with parchment, waxed paper, or a silpat.
- Freeze for 3 hours. Transfer to freezer bags once chard has frozen solid.
What can I do with too much Swiss chard?
Blanch it, squeeze it dry, and turn it into flavored pasta, gnudi, or fillings for ravioli and cannelloni. Or whiz blanched chard with eggs, flour, herbs, and cheese and fry it into a fritter. Like cabbage, chard can be parboiled, stuffed with meat or vegetable fillings, and steamed in broth or tomato sauce.
Do you eat the stems of Swiss chard?
Swiss chard leaves can be eaten raw or cooked . ... The stalks are thicker than the leaves so they take longer to cook. Chop the stalks into 1 inch pieces. Sauté, steam or cook the stalks in a pan with water (1/2 cup per bunch) first, then add the leaves and cook until wilted.
Can Swiss chard be frozen raw?
The good news is, Swiss chard is a hardy green, which makes it suitable for freezing . Of course, you have to prep the greens well prior to freezing to extend its original color and flavor. When prepping the Swiss chard for freezing, you can either blanch the greens or flash-freeze them.
Can you store chard in water?
Popping them in the fridge; but do not wash chard before storing as water will encourage spoilage and it won’t last as long. In the fridge, it will keep fresh for up to 5 days . If you have a lot of it or want to plan ahead, blanch the vegetable and freeze to use another day.
How do you preserve rainbow chard?
- Remove from the water and chop into bite size pieces. ...
- Turn, the stove on to low-medium heat. ...
- Put your room temperature blanched swiss chard (or greens) into good quality zip-top freezer bags. ...
- Lay the bags flat in your freezer until frozen.
How healthy is Swiss chard?
Swiss chard is a nutritional powerhouse — an excellent source of vitamins K, A, and C , as well as a good source of magnesium, potassium, iron, and dietary fiber.
Can you freeze fresh Swiss chard without blanching?
Yes, your Swiss chard should be fine without blanching . I would like to freeze a dish of Swiss chard and lentils. Will this be okay in the freezer? Yes, this should be fine in the freezer for 2-3 months or so, but you need to make sure it’s properly sealed.
What happens if you do not blanch a vegetable before freezing it?
Blanching helps vegetables keep their vibrant colors and retain nutrients, and stops the enzymes that would otherwise lead to spoilage. Freezing vegetables without blanching them first results in faded or dulled coloring, as well as off flavors and textures .
Do you have to blanch Swiss chard to freeze?
Because of the risk of bitterness and nutrient loss if you don’t blanch, and seeing as how blanching literally takes just a few minutes, it’s really best to blanch before freezing .
Can you eat Swiss chard everyday?
Swiss chard can be enjoyed raw in salads or on sandwiches or wraps, braised, boiled, sautéed or added to soups and casseroles. Here are some tips to incorporate more Swiss chard (leaves and stems) into the daily routine: Add a handful of fresh Swiss chard leaves to an omelet or scrambled eggs.
How do you make Swiss chard less bitter?
How do you make Swiss chard not bitter? Use older chard , which tends to be markedly less bitter than the young chard you’re using; Avoid bringing out the bitterness, by cooking at lower heat; Mute any remaining bitterness with salt, which is pretty common for leafy greens.
