Chard?

[Mothy]

I've noticed from previous posts that others,  ( Tim & EJ ), grow chard. I have to say that it looks a very attractive vegetable, but at the same time  like it could be tough due to the stem thickness. I assume that because others grow it, that is not the case, but wonder how best to cook it? Is it a worthwhile crop?

Please inspire me...I have picked a packet of seeds up on more than a few occasions and put them back down again.

[Mothy]

[Merry Tiller]

The stems are not at all tough, a little bland maybe but it makes a decent addition to a casserole

[tim]

If you've read past notes, Mothy, you will have seen that it is very productive. All year round on one sowing.

Even though the stems need not be tough, if kept picked, it is more normal to cook the older ones separately. Apart from saag aloo, this is one of my favourites.

http://www.truestarhealth.com/Notes/3592004.html

And more evidence??

[Obelixx]

It is usual to separate the green, spinachy leaves from the stems for cooking.  Depending on age and thickness the stems can be prepared whole or chopped and then steamed or sauteed and served simply with a bit of butter and black pepper.  The leaves are sweeter than spinach and don't leave a film on the teeth as spinach can.  You can also curry both parts or stir-fry them or make an excellent quiche with both parts pre-cooked, mixed with beaten eggs and a bit of cream and topped with a bit of goats' cheese or cheddar before baking in the oven as normal.  Yum.

[legless]

i grew it last year and it is very easy and productive but we don't like it so we won't grow it again this year.

[Mothy]

Thank you all for the feedback!
Tim, as always, a great source of knowledge!!  ;D
I will buy the seeds and give it a go!!
If it produces all year round it seems silly not to at least try it!

[Doris_Pinks]

Lovely stuff and on my must haves! We are still picking last years ;D  Works well when small leaved in salads too.

[Moggle]

In Tassie we called it Silver Beet, and I've used it for most things where you would use spinach. I've made a ricotta and chard filling for canneloni (minus the stems). I've sliced it thinly across the leaf (including stems) and chucked it in a minestrone-type soup. I also love it sliced as above and simply steamed then with loads of butter and salt on top  :)

Have been given some seeds this year. When do I sow it?

[aquilegia]

Moggle - I sowed mine a few weeks (or was it a month?) back in my mini greenhouse. THey are now pricked out and about an inch high.

[johcharly]

I've just bought some ?bright lights? Chard and I am thinking of sowing it straight into the bed this weekend, will this be ok?

[Mrs Ava]

johcharly, if you have no problem germinating things directly, then get it in!  I grew mine in modules, only a few to fill the row from last late summers planting, and planted the little plants out last weekend.  It is a great gap filler towards the end of the summer, and as everyone has said before me, a tasty veggie addition.  The new leaves are great in salads, the great big stems are wonderful steamed then served with cheese sauce or plenty of butter, and I use it like any other green.  Father-in-law adores spinach but they don't buy fresh very often, and they hate frozen, so as you can imagine, when I give him a bag full he is buzzing on iron fuelled energy for days!  The older leaves can have an earthy strong taste, which I love, but the young fresh growth is sweet, and if you cut the entire growing point from the plant, but leave the stump behind, it sprouts with loads of lovely young tender leaves!

[johcharly]

Cheers for that Emma they will go in this weekend then, can't wait for them to come. I might even sow some in a pot to transplant into the flower border as they look fabulous looking at Tim pics.

[wardy]

They are worth growing just because they look beautiful - esp the Bright Lights variety  :)

[derbex]

Just to second what everyone else says. Must be one of the least fussy veg. to grow, much easier than spinach or brassicas -which means even I get a crop. I prefer the taste to spinach -less metallic.

Jeremy

[Moggle]

Yes, thanks Aqui and Ej, I will direct sow as well, not much space left in the mini-greenhouse  :-\

[aquilegia]

I keep forgetting to ask... do slugs and snails like to eat it?

[fat larry]

excellent news. i'll be getting mine in on sat if the weather holds then!! yippee. I love the look of chard

[Mrs Ava]

They don't eat mine Aqui, much more interested in the squashes!!  >:(

[aquilegia]

EJ - thanks good news. One less thing for me to worry about. Now - where can I put them? I suppose they'll have to be squashed in the corners somewhere.

[Mrs Ava]

Squish them in anywhere Aqui.  They are pretty in the borders.  Why do rows anyhow, me, I am much more haphazard and plant wherever I have space ready!  ;D