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Hi all...

Have just been down the lottie and there is alot of rhubarb there. Can anyone tell me when is the best time to pick it , do the stems need to be red or green , old or young?
Also , do I cut the stems off at the bottom with a knife or just pull them off the bottom of the plant?
Thirdly, what the heck am I going to do with it all???? :D

Cyril

It will quite tough now for eating, but is excellent for rhubarb wine!
Best time for eating is before end of June. Just pull from the bottom of the stalks.

derek, does the increase in oxalic acid(??) make a difference re: the wine? the general advice is not to eat rhubarb much beyond the end of june as the poison will also be stored in the stems not just the leaves...???

That is an interesting one Svea, to which I dont have the answer. I have always presumed that the acid levels would reduce with time.
Some research needed I think.

Thanks for raising that point

Quote from: Derekthefox on July 21, 2005, 15:02:06
It will quite tough now for eating, but is excellent for rhubarb wine!
Best time for eating is before end of June. Just pull from the bottom of the stalks.

Thanks derek , that is a shame because there is loads there. I might pull a few and have a go at a crumble ;D

What I have found is that the oxalic acid IS increased after june, but the quantity is so small that is probably doesnt make much difference, unless you drink as much as me.

Anyone with gout will soon tell you about the oxalic acid level...
Same goes for spinach/spinach beet.

Not just gout, arthritis as well

the point I was making is that the increase is not that significant in toxicity terms

I cut some today and made Rhubarb and date bread! If I don't ever post again I guess I was wrong! :o

We found some on an abandoned plot and had crumble on Sunday which was delicious.  DP - reckon you should be OK but better report in tomorrow so that we don't all worry   :)

 :o Ooh err! my Lottie neighbour gave me some rhubarb a couple of days ago, I haven't eat it yet should I? :o :-\

Doris....are you still with us  ???
;)

you can, roy - just not in large doses, and like derek has found out - not great if you have gout or arthritis.

Harvested Tuesday, enough for crumble for four of us for dinner on Tuesday and Wednesday - absolutely delicious and no problems.  Mother in law suffers severe athritis and reports no apparent side effects.

I keep looking longingly at my bubby.  It is in the shade, and is growing so thick and fast, that I might just have another picking, just a small one you understand...it is in the shade after all, so would be a little later than one grown in full sun......

I think I'll wait until toxicity levels are high then invite Mother In Law around for Rhubarb Crumble :D

 ;D Well I can report that I am still here after consuming my lottie friends bubby :o it was delish stewed with added cream yummy ;D

Stop it please Roy!., mine is all finished.

DP

If you are still with us recipe please!

DORIS! I'm getting worried, please reply and say Hi ;D