Choice and storage

Swiss chard is obtainable at its greatest in the course of the summer time months from June till October. Chard may be harvested whereas its leaves are younger and tender or after maturity when the leaves are bigger and attain barely harder stems. Within the retailer, purchase contemporary chard leaves that includes crispy, crunchy, good dark-green colour.

Chard is an especially perishable leafy vegetable, and for a similar cause, it needs to be used as early as attainable as soon as harvested. If in any respect to retailer contained in the fridge, then, set its temperature under 35 levels F and excessive humidity stage to retain vitality for 1-2 days.

Preparation and serving strategies

Potato-soy pie with chard. Picture courtesy: George Kelly., and Chard-salmon recipe. (Picture-by selena)

As in spinach, chard leaves needs to be washed totally in clear operating water and rinsed in saline water for about half-hour with a view to take away sand, filth, and any insecticide/fungicide residues.

Listed below are some serving ideas:

• Recent younger chard leaves can be utilized uncooked in salads.

• Mature chard leaves and stalks are usually cooked, braised, or sautéed; the bitter taste fades with cooking. Nonetheless, antioxidant properties of chard might considerably diminish on steaming, frying, and boiling for lengthy intervals.

• Silverbeet pie, with pistachio, raisins, cheese stuffing (filling) is a favourite Italian and Mediterranean area.

Security profile

• Due to its excessive vitamin-Okay content material, sufferers on anticoagulant remedy reminiscent of warfarin are inspired to keep away from chard within the meals because it will increase the vitamin-Okay focus within the blood, which is what the medicine are sometimes making an attempt to decrease. It, thus, successfully raises the dose of the medication and will trigger overdosage toxicity.

• Swiss chard comprises oxalic acid, a naturally occurring substance present in some greens, which can crystallize as oxalate stones within the urinary tract. Due to this fact, folks with genetic susceptibility to oxalate stones are suggested to keep away from chard of their food regimen. Enough consumption of water is inspired to take care of regular urine output. (Medical disclaimer).
  

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Additional studying:

1. Chard-College of Illinois Extension.

2. USDA Meals Checklist.