Swiss Chard

Swiss chard is a leafy green vegetable. It is a type of beet vegetable that is closely related to beet and is similar to spinach. Swiss chard is likely to have originated in the Mediterranean region near Sicily. Other common names for Swiss chard are spinach beet and Indian spinach. The ribbed leaves tend to be crinkly, crumpled, and large. Chard stalks closely resemble celery. They contain attractive and vibrant-colored stalks. 

Varieties of Swiss Chards include:

• Fordhook Giant: leafy green plant that has large green leaves with thick white stalks.
• Magenta Sunset: a leafy green plant that has green leaves with dark magenta veins and magenta stems.
• Peppermint: a leafy green plant that has green leaves with a combination of white and reddish fuchsia-colored stalks. This chard resembles peppermint candy.
• Rhubarb, also known as ruby chard, is a leafy green plant that has green leaves with red veins and red stalks. Rhubarb is a well-favored chard variety.

Benefits

Swiss chard is a nutritious and healthy leafy vegetable that contains various health benefits. It is often considered a nutritional superfood. In addition, Swiss chard is one of the healthiest vegetables worldwide, packed with a variety of health benefits. 

Superfood: Powerhouse Vegetable

Superfoods offer an extensive range of nutrients. Swiss chard is considered a superfood vegetable. It is known for a variety of health benefits, and it is known as a nutritious leafy green. In addition, Swiss chard is a great alternative to nutrient-dense vegetables such as spinach and kale.

Availability & Purchase

Swiss chard is a year-round leafy vegetable. It is generally available year-round in the United States. Swiss chard can often be found in many local farmer’s markets. It is a colorful vegetable option often available fresh at farmers markets during peak seasons throughout the year. Look for healthy stalks and fresh, dark green Swiss chard leaves. Also look for varieties of Swiss chard. This is a nice way of experimenting with the various flavors of chard varieties.

Many garden centers have Swiss chard plants available for purchase. Planting Swiss chard is a nice option to add to gardens. They are simple to grow from seeds. Many online stores and garden centers have Swiss chard seeds and plants available. 

Food & Drinks

Juice

Swiss chard juice makes a healthy and flavorful superfood juice. It can be a great vegetable option for juicing. It is also a good alternative to other nutritious, dense vegetables that are commonly used for green juices. Opt to add Swiss chard and a combination of herbs to green juices, creating a different and healthy juice.

Juice Recipe Ideas:

• Fruit & Swiss chard blended juice
• Spring green juice with Swiss chard
• Swiss chard smoothie

Swiss chard is a green vegetable that can be eaten either raw or cooked. Fresh leaves can be added to salads or soups as toppings. The leaves can also be used as wraps similar to tortilla wraps. Cooked Swiss chard is closely related to the flavor of cooked spinach. Cooked chards are a nice addition to soups and stews.

The taste of raw chard is known to be bitter; therefore, cooking Swiss chard is excellent for removing any bitter taste it may contain. Cooked Swiss chard has a slightly sweet and mild flavor.

Swiss chard is known to cook quickly. They do not take long to cook. A few ways of cooking Swiss chard include: boil, pan-fry, sauté, and steam. Sautéing and steaming are quick cooking options. Swiss chard leaves are often prepared very similarly to spinach.

Recipe Ideas:

• Lentil soup with Swiss chard and lemon
• Sauteed Swiss chard
• Swiss chard with garbanzo beans

Asia & Caribbean

Swiss chard is also a popular leafy vegetable in Asia that is gaining in popularity throughout the continent. Swiss chard is a good alternative to common Asian greens. In addition to Asia, Swiss chard is used in the Caribbean. Callaloo is a popular vegetable in the Caribbean, especially in Jamaica. Swiss chard is a good alternative to callaloo. It is also often combined and cooked together in recipes. Both vegetables are superfoods and have similar flavors. Combining Swiss chard and callaloo is a healthy and flavorful veggie combination dish. 

Recipe Ideas:

• Chinese Swiss chard stir-fry
• Vegetarian spicy Swiss chard stir fry
• Swiss chard curry potatoes (India)
• Caribbean-style Swiss chard & butter squash stew
• Jamaican callaloo and Swiss chard 

Mediterranean

Swiss chard grows well in the Mediterranean region. It is also a popular vegetable choice in Mediterranean cuisine. It is a common vegetable ingredient used and is an ideal alternative to grape leaves for many Mediterranean dishes.

Recipe Ideas:

• Mediterranean Swiss chard salad
• Italian-Style Swiss chard (Italy)
• Swiss chard and squash frittata (Italy)

Store Swiss Chard

Store fresh and unwashed Swiss chard in the refrigerator in a freezer bag, plastic-sealed bag, or tight-sealed container. Washed Swiss chard can be stored in plastic bags, and cooked Swiss chard can be stored in a container in the refrigerator.

Pickling

Pickling is another way of preserving Swiss chard stems. This process involves soaking the stems in a solution such as vinegar in a tight-sealed jar. Pickled chard stems condiment can be added to several different food items, such as burgers, hot dogs, sandwiches, wraps, and salads. A variety of local farmers markets may have pickled Swiss chard stems available for purchase. Making pickled Swiss chard is not challenging to make at home. The process to prepare and make pickled Swiss chard is simple and can last a few weeks.

Recipe Ideas:

• Pickled rainbow Swiss chard stems
• Spicy pickled Swiss chard stems

Summary

Swiss chard is an amazing superfood vegetable that contains many health benefits. It is an excellent vegetable option to add to recipes throughout the seasons since it is available year-round in the states. Swiss chard is a versatile leafy green that can be consumed raw or cooked. In addition, this type of vegetable can be juiced and pickled. There are also numerous healthy and appetizing Swiss chard recipes. Swiss chard is an ideal vegetable to add to the garden and to try out in various healthy recipes.