All About Swiss Chard
Swiss chard isn't just beautiful to look at, it's also delicious and nutritious.
We'll let you in on a little secret – rainbow chard isn't an actual variety of chard. It's simply a mix of white Swiss chard, red chard, and golden chard. When these three powerhouse chards come together the result is packed with flavor. All three of these chard varieties bring a different taste to the table. The Swiss chard has an intense mineral taste to it, the red chard tends to have an earthy sweetness, and the golden chard rounds up the bunch with a mild, nutty flavor.
Among many great sources of vitamins and minerals, Swiss chard contains almost three times the recommended daily consumption of vitamin K. Vitamin K has been shown to reduce osteoporosis and bone fractures due to increased calcium absorption. Chard is also an excellent source of vitamin A, vitamin C, magnesium, copper, potassium, vitamin E, and iron.
Tips for how to choose rainbow chard:
The greens case in your local Market Basket is filled with delicious and vibrant produce. That being said, it can be daunting trying to pick the best one if you don't know what you're looking for!
When it comes to Swiss chard, look for a bunch that has a good mix of different colors, all with bright green leaves. You want to choose chard that does not display any browning, is not wilted, and is free of any tiny holes.
With most produce, if it looks good it will probably taste good – and Swiss chard is no exception.
Tips for storing Swiss chard:
Remember to wash your Swiss chard before using it, but be sure not to wash it before storage as the exposure to water encourages spoilage. Place the chard in a plastic storage bag wrapped tightly, making sure to remove as much air from the bag as possible. When stored in the fridge, chard should keep fresh for up to five days.
Tips for cooking Swiss chard:
Want to try out Swiss chard but not sure where to start? Here's a delicious recipe to try out tonight:
Swiss Chard Chips
Ingredients:
- 10 Swiss chard leaves
- 1 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
- 1/8 tsp. garlic powder
- 1/8 tsp. chili powder
Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 275° F.
2. Remove the stems from the Swiss chard. Cut the leaves into pieces, roughly 2-inches in size.
3. Place the cut leaves in a single layer on a baking sheet. Toss with extra virgin olive oil.
4. Season the leaves with the kosher salt, garlic powder, and chili powder.
5. Bake for 20 minutes, then turn the leaves over and bake for an additional 20 minutes.
6. Let the chard chips cool before serving.