I have always loved Rhubarb! Eating it raw covered in sugar is new to me ... Not something I have done. I have only eaten it either as a component of a chutney or stewed for breakfast (eaten with cereal) or for dessert either on its own (with icecream), or in pie or crumble (also with icecream ... or custard ... or both).
Those all sound yummy !😋 the raw with sugar is an acquired taste hehe but since I started acquiring it VERY young, it is still my favorite. Warm from the garden is even better 😉
The only thing I knew rhubarb was good for was strawberry rhubarb pie, which was okay, but I never craved it. The rhubarb grew wild along the railroad tracks in Wilbraham, Massachusetts, and some years my mother would pick it and make a pie.
Of all the fresh fruit and veggies we had when I was a child, rhubarb was not one of them. Maybe it was wariness of the leaves that caused my mom to stay away from it. I should give it a try.
Well, this was an enjoyable stroll with you through the rhubarb garden, its history, and your culinary history. I don't remember chomping on rhubarb, but I do remember my dad's frequent requests for rhubarb pie. It could have been my mom or his mom (her recipes have vanished) delivering the requested dessert treat...rhubarb was his favorite! Perhaps I should make a rhubarb pie? You've inspired me :)
You’re right about the leaves! Once had a rash from just handling them (late in the season when this is more likely to occur). My chief rhubarb memories are of crumble at primary school. The surprising pink colour.
Oh, I'm convinced!! I've NEVER tasted fresh rhubarb, only ever had it in pies, which I've loved. That sour cherry sort of flavor sounds delightful. It made me think of Japanese flavors.
Smitten, that sent me on a hunt to find starts locally, and yeah, I just might be able to get them still at the best nursery in the region, just a short walk from my home here in Berkeley. I'm on it!! I'll let you know next year if it takes.
I used to work at a Japanese bank and one of my expat colleagues was a weekend gardener. He asked me what was a good native plant to try and he was delighted to learn about rhubarb (which I have been told is easy to grow).
I did not realize some citizens of this land did not grow up eating it in pies or just dipping in sugar… I will save this recipe and make it as soon as rhubarb returns to the stores this spring.
Wonderful post and stories Lori! Being from New Mexico and Texas, I have never tried rhubarb but I believe my Mom tried. I was a very stubborn and picky kid (ahem am trying to be better). I do now try out things that friends suggest, so I’m going to try your recipe. Thank you for the warnings about the leaves tho!!! I would have thrown them in my next salad! Eeks! I enjoyed hearing about your memories and memory-making!
I have always loved Rhubarb! Eating it raw covered in sugar is new to me ... Not something I have done. I have only eaten it either as a component of a chutney or stewed for breakfast (eaten with cereal) or for dessert either on its own (with icecream), or in pie or crumble (also with icecream ... or custard ... or both).
Those all sound yummy !😋 the raw with sugar is an acquired taste hehe but since I started acquiring it VERY young, it is still my favorite. Warm from the garden is even better 😉
The only thing I knew rhubarb was good for was strawberry rhubarb pie, which was okay, but I never craved it. The rhubarb grew wild along the railroad tracks in Wilbraham, Massachusetts, and some years my mother would pick it and make a pie.
Of all the fresh fruit and veggies we had when I was a child, rhubarb was not one of them. Maybe it was wariness of the leaves that caused my mom to stay away from it. I should give it a try.
Well, this was an enjoyable stroll with you through the rhubarb garden, its history, and your culinary history. I don't remember chomping on rhubarb, but I do remember my dad's frequent requests for rhubarb pie. It could have been my mom or his mom (her recipes have vanished) delivering the requested dessert treat...rhubarb was his favorite! Perhaps I should make a rhubarb pie? You've inspired me :)
You’re right about the leaves! Once had a rash from just handling them (late in the season when this is more likely to occur). My chief rhubarb memories are of crumble at primary school. The surprising pink colour.
Oh, I'm convinced!! I've NEVER tasted fresh rhubarb, only ever had it in pies, which I've loved. That sour cherry sort of flavor sounds delightful. It made me think of Japanese flavors.
Sure enough, the Japanese thought of that too: www.chopstickchronicles.com/umeboshi-rhubarb.
Smitten, that sent me on a hunt to find starts locally, and yeah, I just might be able to get them still at the best nursery in the region, just a short walk from my home here in Berkeley. I'm on it!! I'll let you know next year if it takes.
Thanks, I learned a lot about rhubarb!
I used to work at a Japanese bank and one of my expat colleagues was a weekend gardener. He asked me what was a good native plant to try and he was delighted to learn about rhubarb (which I have been told is easy to grow).
I did not realize some citizens of this land did not grow up eating it in pies or just dipping in sugar… I will save this recipe and make it as soon as rhubarb returns to the stores this spring.
Wonderful post and stories Lori! Being from New Mexico and Texas, I have never tried rhubarb but I believe my Mom tried. I was a very stubborn and picky kid (ahem am trying to be better). I do now try out things that friends suggest, so I’m going to try your recipe. Thank you for the warnings about the leaves tho!!! I would have thrown them in my next salad! Eeks! I enjoyed hearing about your memories and memory-making!