Choice and storage

Swiss chard is out there at its greatest through the summer season months from June till October. Chard might be harvested whereas its leaves are younger and tender or after maturity when the leaves are bigger and attain barely more durable stems. Within the retailer, purchase contemporary chard leaves that includes crispy, crunchy, sensible dark-green shade.

Chard is an especially perishable leafy vegetable, and for a similar motive, it needs to be used as early as attainable as soon as harvested. If in any respect to retailer contained in the fridge, then, set its temperature beneath 35 levels F and excessive humidity stage to retain vitality for 1-2 days.

Preparation and serving strategies

Potato-soy pie with chard. Photograph courtesy: George Kelly., and Chard-salmon recipe. (Photograph-by selena)

As in spinach, chard leaves needs to be washed totally in clear operating water and rinsed in saline water for about half-hour with a view to take away sand, grime, and any insecticide/fungicide residues.

Listed here are some serving ideas:

• Recent younger chard leaves can be utilized uncooked in salads.

• Mature chard leaves and stalks are sometimes cooked, braised, or sautéed; the bitter taste fades with cooking. Nonetheless, antioxidant properties of chard could considerably diminish on steaming, frying, and boiling for lengthy intervals.

• Silverbeet pie, with pistachio, raisins, cheese stuffing (filling) is a favourite Italian and Mediterranean area.

Security profile

• Due to its excessive vitamin-Ok content material, sufferers on anticoagulant remedy similar to warfarin are inspired to keep away from chard within the meals because it will increase the vitamin-Ok focus within the blood, which is what the medication are sometimes making an attempt to decrease. It, thus, successfully raises the dose of the drugs and will trigger overdosage toxicity.

• Swiss chard accommodates oxalic acid, a naturally occurring substance present in some greens, which can crystallize as oxalate stones within the urinary tract. Subsequently, folks with genetic susceptibility to oxalate stones are suggested to keep away from chard of their weight-reduction plan. Enough consumption of water is inspired to take care of regular urine output. (Medical disclaimer).
  

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Additional studying:

1. Chard-College of Illinois Extension.

2. USDA Meals Checklist.