Ain't Nobody Here Posted May 8, 2008 Share Posted May 8, 2008 I keep getting this in my veg box but I'm ashamed to say I have no idea what it is . Any ideas? (The apple is to show the size - they are huge leaves!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 8, 2008 Share Posted May 8, 2008 It is leaf beet otherwise known as Swiss Chard. Great in salads, cut up the stalk too and use it like celery. For salads best picked as small leaves. To cook it, wilt it or steam it - like you would spinach. Use it in lots of recipes - oh and of course the chickens love it. You can chop it down at ground level and it regrows too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted May 8, 2008 Author Share Posted May 8, 2008 Thanks Dilly . I have heard of Swiss chard, just didn't know it looked like that! I've been wilting it and having it as a side veg and it's quite nice (so the girls won't be getting any ). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 8, 2008 Share Posted May 8, 2008 we're growing some this year Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 9, 2008 Share Posted May 9, 2008 Thanks Dilly . I have heard of Swiss chard, just didn't know it looked like that! I've been wilting it and having it as a side veg and it's quite nice (so the girls won't be getting any ). Oh go on - let them have the very big leaves Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted May 9, 2008 Share Posted May 9, 2008 we're growing some this year We're trying to grow some Rainbow Chard this year which has different coloured stems and looks lovely - tastes the same as Swiss Chard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted May 9, 2008 Share Posted May 9, 2008 You can steam the stalks of the chard and serve them with butter like you would asparagus, and use the leaves in anything that you would use spinach for. It is dead easy to grow and will stand all but the hardest winter, you can cut it down and it will regrow only bolting the following year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bronze Posted May 9, 2008 Share Posted May 9, 2008 mmmm I lve chard. I tend to use the leaf and the stalk seperately Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted May 9, 2008 Share Posted May 9, 2008 I have got several chard plants (the rainbow variety that Kate mentioned) that have been growing for 4 years They moved house with me I keep cutting it and it reshoots! The girls love it and gives their yolks a very dark orange colour. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FruitandNutCake Posted May 10, 2008 Share Posted May 10, 2008 I made the mistake of digging mine up and composting it! I didn't like the taste of the big leaves but have had shop bought baby leafs and are so much nicer, so I am going to try again this year and cut the leaves early. The rabbits didn't like them either - but I didn't have my chickens then, so I now know what to do with the bigger leaves next time! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken Licken Posted May 10, 2008 Share Posted May 10, 2008 The chickens love it - I grow leaf beet and swiss chard just for the girls - they get a bunch in the morning and a bunchin the evening. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
