The Problem with Rhubarb

We grow alot of rhubarb on our plot. A large, healthy bed of it was left by the last plot holder and we never had the heart to do anything dramatic with it as it's right next to the pond and the frogs and newts love the cover of the large, shady leaves during the summer months. The bed contains seven very healthy crowns that produce a hearty crop each year.

"So what's the problem with this?" I hear you ask. Well, the major problem is that nobody in our house actually likes eating the stuff! My Dad will take a little off us, as will be best pal who lives round the corner from the plot and some colleagues at work but, apart from that, the majority of our yearly haul normally goes to waste.

Over the last couple of weeks this year's crop has started to come into its own and I got thinking about my dislike of rhubarb...

"Do I actually not like it?" I asked myself. "Or do I think I don't like it after some horrible experience as a child eating soggy, overcooked rhubarb?"

On reflection I realised that my dislike was probably based upon the latter, and that's the reason why 2011 is the year of the rhubarb in our house. I'm trying as many different recipes as I can to see what this versatile crop has to offer and to see if I've actually not been being a little bit unkind in my prejudice against it.

Last night I started with Stewed Rhubarb with a Vanilla and Yoghurt courtesy of Jamie Oliver. I'm not normally a fan of Mr O and his recipes but this stuff is really good and was a great treat after a long day (though I have to admit I served it with custard rather than yoghurt!) So a rhubarb recipe I actually like? Who'd have thought it? Next I'm planning to have a go of making Rhubarb Chutney using a recipe from Monty Don's book, "Fork to Fork", which is, incidentally, a wonderful book for anyone who's interested in home grown, season food.

Comments

[Organicallotment.wordpress.com]

Nice to see someone make the decision to see what rhubarb is really like.

I was lucky in that I had plenty of good rhubarb as a kid so the dinner ladies turning it into a soggy, insipid muck for dessert didn't put me off the stuff.
I can completely understand why so many people think it's horrible after having to choke it down at school though.

I've just been moving my rhubarb so don't think I'll be eating much of it at all this year, but assuming all goes well I'll have something like 10 good crowns in the next year or so.

[Liz]

Thanks for the tip Zoe - I've had a look at the Riverford recipes and they look very tempting :)

[Zoe]

We inherited 3 rhubarb plants on our plot, and they produce more than I can ever eat. My other half won't touch it, and I also struggle to give it away, so I know where you're coming from. I've personally come to love it now, so long as it has enough sugar on it. It goes very well with ginger, and apparently with strawberries, though not tried that yet. I can recommend the recipes on www.riverford.co.uk - just type in rhubarb on the recipe search box. I might try some jam or chutney this year, as I seem to have more than ever!

[Liz]

Thanks for the ideas / support! I've been eating stewed rhubarb all week with yoghurt for breakfast and have lived to tell the tale. And we've got a crumble planned at the weekend so I'll need to buy some cream Sally! :-)

[louisa @ TheReallyGoodLife]

I keep thinking about growing rhubarb - it's almost mandatory here on the edge of the rhubarb triangle and it would be nice to have something from the garden at this time of year - but I don't think I like it -- again, probably childhood memories of it badly cooked. Perhaps I should take inspiration from your lead and try it again :)

[Emma]

My rhubarb has been growing in a tub and has remained steadfastly unproductive for years, so this spring I have divided it and planted both halves in the garden. Therefore I have nothing to offer except secondhand advice... which is that it makes nice jam :)

[Rachael]

I know what you mean about rhubarb - there are only a few ways I can eat it, it does funny things to my teeth... but rhubarb ice cream is delicious, as is rhurbarb cheesecake. Anything with plenty of cream reduces the fuzzy teeth problem.

[SallyF]

If you need any taking of your hands I'll willingly volunteer. You know for rhubarb it doesn't get much better than a good old fashioned crumble. Maybe with just a dribble of cream.