From Lemony Lentil & Chard Soup to Ham & Chard Stuffed Shells, chard is a flexible leafy inexperienced (FYI: you may even see it known as Swiss chard, nevertheless it's the identical vegetable). It may be eaten uncooked or cooked, and its stalks are available a wide range of colours, together with white, purple and yellow. Whether or not you choose up a bunch from the grocery retailer or your native farmers' market, learn to retailer chard the correct strategy to profit from the tasty, darkish inexperienced veggie.
Easy methods to Retailer Chard
- Take away any blemished or wilting leaves from the bunch.
- Wrap the stalks of the chard in a barely damp paper towel or material.
- Place the chard in an open plastic bag or perforated plastic bag. Retailer within the crisper drawer of the fridge.
Chard is at its greatest when loved instantly after buying, however can last as long as every week within the fridge when saved following the steps above. Wrapping the stalks with a moist paper towel helps maintain the veggie recent, as chard has excessive water content material and will be rubbery when dehydrated. Moreover, the crisper drawer is the very best place for storage because the temperature and humidity will be managed for optimum freshness.
It's additionally essential to take away any blemished or wilting leaves earlier than storage. Take away any leaves which can be yellowing or have a limp look, as these are indicators that the leaves are beginning to flip unhealthy (or higher but, don't purchase chard if the leaves have any of those indicators).
One other essential tip? Don't wash chard earlier than storage. Much like spinach, chard leaves are extra prone to spoiling at a faster charge if they’re moist when saved. As a substitute, wait to scrub chard till proper earlier than use. Wash chard leaves with cool water till all dust or grit is eliminated. To assist, you may dunk the leaves in a bowl of water to make sure that all the pieces is cleaned.
It's straightforward to retailer chard, and you should use it in all the pieces, from soups to salads. For extra, learn to prepare dinner chard and the best way to freeze chard.
By Lisa Kingsley and Alex Loh
